Abby Wambach, who retired from football in October after helping the United States win the Women's World Cup, was arrested Sunday in Portland, Oregon, on a drink-driving charge.

Wambach, 35, was booked at 2:02 am and charged with A misdemeanor, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

In a statement on her Facebook page, Wambach apologized for what she described as a "horrible mistake", explaining she had been arrested after driving home from dinner at a friend's house.

"Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself. I have let myself and others down," Wambach said.

"I take full responsibility for my actions. This is all on me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my horrible mistake is never repeated.

"I am so sorry to my family, friends, fans and those that look to follow a better example."

Wambach is a veteran of four Women's World Cups, capping her career by playing a key role in last year's victorious campaign in Canada.

She also played in two Olympic Games, winning gold medals in Athens in 2004 and London in 2012, but missing Beijing in 2008 through injury.

Wambach scored 184 goals in 252 appearances for the United States in international competition -- the leading career scorer for any male or female American player.