Abby Wambach pleads not guilty to DUI

Retired U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach has pleaded not guilty to a charge of DUI.

The athlete, who has scored more international goals than any other woman, was charged with allegedly driving under the influence after police pulled her vehicle over in Portland, Oregon on Sunday morning (03Apr16).

She was released on her own recognizance from the Multnomah County Jail hours later.

The 35-year-old sportswoman stands accused of running a red light and failing a number of sobriety tests, but on Tuesday (05Apr16), her attorney entered a not guilty plea during a hearing at Multnomah County Courthouse.

Wambach was not present for the court date as she is currently in Kentucky, where she was scheduled to deliver a speech at the University of Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon.

Wambach's lawyer is due back in court at the end of April (16), reports TMZ.com.

The soccer player took to Facebook hours after the news of her arrest broke online to apologize for her actions.

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

The news taints Wambach's legacy five months after she announced her retirement in October (15), shortly after helping the U.S. team win the Women's World Cup last year.