TOKYO (AP) " Former women's world player of the year Homare Sawa announced her retirement from football on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old Sawa is the former captain of Japan, and the 2011 Women's World Cup top-scorer and MVP.
She scored an extra-time equalizer when Japan beat the United States on penalties to win that Women's World Cup final.
For Japan, she has a record 205 caps and 83 goals.
Sawa played in the U.S. Women's Premier Soccer League from 1999-2010, and returned to Japan's domestic league in 2011.