Teammates, friends express love and admiration for retiring soccer star Abby Wambach

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team saw their 104-game winning streak come to an end after a 1-0 defeat to China. Despite the defeat, the team was still in high spirits, as they celebrated the legacy and impact of Abby Wambach, the soccer legend whose career came to a close on Wednesday.

Wambach officially retired after Wednesday's match in New Orleans, receiving a standing ovation following her last match. The athlete reflected on the positive moments she's had with her teammates over the course of her 14-year career with the Women's National Team.

"Today wasn't about getting a result," Wambach told ESPNW. "It was about celebrating, not just my career but the chances that I've had with all my other teammates and the time that I've spent with them."

It's hard to understate the massive impact that Wambach has had on the sport. According to U.S. Soccer, Wambach has scored a whopping 184 goals since 2001. She scored in 50 percent of the games she has ever played in as a member of the U.S. team.

While Wambach's character, confidence and determination has helped shape her into a dominant player, the soccer star says that she owes a lot of her storied success to family and friends, both soccer and non-soccer alike, who've helped her along the way.

"They've allowed me to express who and what I wanted to be and be the dreamer that I've always been," Wambach said. "They've also motivated me and challenged me to be a better person off the field and I think that's something that I value the most."

Some of those friends, including Tom Hanks, Tiger Woods and Mia Hamm, expressed their admiration and support for Wambach and the positive impact she's had on their lives after she announced her retirement.

Wambach's team, too, spoke about their admiration for the star player, fighting back tears while describing the massive impact she's had on their lives and as a role model for girls and soccer fans everywhere.

Now that Wambach has hung up her cleats, she says she's excited for whatever the future kicks her way.

"It's been a wonderful gift playing for the USA and I can't wait to see what happens next, not just in my life, but for this National Team because it's going to be really fun to watch," Wambach said. "I love you guys very much from top to bottom; teammates, coaches, staff members, friends, family, and yes, even some opponents."