 Heading into the 2007 FIFA Women 's World Cup , the national team had not conceded a game in regulation time in nearly three years and was considered a favorite to win the tournament in China . Wambach had become a regular on the team for five years and had assumed a new position as leader on the team . During their first match of the tournament against North Korea , Wambach collided in the air with North Korean defender , Ri Kum @-@ Suk , and landed on the ground with blood streaming down her head . She was sidelined from the pitch for ten minutes while she received five stitches to the back of her head . Coach Greg Ryan decided not to replace Wambach , who had scored 78 goals in 97 games . The United States was ahead 1 – 0 thanks to a goal Wambach had scored in the 50th minute , assisted by Kristine Lilly . The squad allowed two goals while Wambach was away for those ten minutes . " When they scored right away as I went off I started to get worried . So I started to run to the locker room to get stitches put in " , Wambach said . Just a couple minutes after Wambach returned to the pitch , the United States tied the match with a goal scored by Heather O 'Reilly . 
