Soccer's top women players

As the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup rolls through the knockout stages, we highlight some of the best women to play the game ever -- from Nadine Angerer to Abby Wambach.

Mia Hamm, now retired, was capped 274 times by Team USA, having debuted in 1987 at age 15.

Hamm, right, and Doris Fitschen of Germany pursue the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup game on July 1, 1999 in Landover, Maryland.

Homare Sawa

Japan's Homare Sawa was named the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.

Sawa, right, vies with Sweden's Caroline Seger during the Algarve Cup football match in Faro on March 10, 2014.

Abby Wambach

Team USA's Abby Wambach holds the record for international goals - the most of any woman or man - with 184.

Wambach, left, heads the ball next to Brazil's Bruna Soares during their Brasilia International Tournament final football match in Brasilia, on December 21, 2014.

Sun Wen

China's Sun Wen won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Here, Wen Sun (9) protects the ball under pressure from Ghana players during their FIFA 2003 Woman's World Cup first round match in Carson, California, September 21, 2003.

Kristine Lilly

USA's Kristine Lilly competed in five World Cups and Three Olympics.

Here, Lilly celebrates after scoring during the Women's World Cup 2007 Quarter Final match between the USA and England at Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, China, September 22, 2007

Marta

Brazil's Marta was named FIFA World Player of the Year five times. She's often referred to as "Pele in a skirt."

In this photo, Marta is tackled by Christine Manie of Cameroon during the Women's Football first round Group E Match of the London 2012 Olympic Games in Cardiff, Wales, July 25, 2012.

Birgit Prinz

Germany's Birgit Prinz is a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

Prinz, center, vies for the ball against North Korea players to set up the winning goal in their women's first round group F football match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Tianjin, August 12, 2008.

Hope Solo

Team USA goalie Hope Solo has 86 shutouts in her career.

Solo throws the ball during a match between USA and China as part of International Women's Football Tournament of Brasilia on December 10, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Christiane

Brazil's Christiane has 109 international caps and 75 international goals.

Christiane leaps over Nigeria's Christie George in their women's first round group F football match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 12, 2008.

Christine Sinclair

Canada's Christine Sinclair made her debut at age 18 and has scored 154 goals for her country.

Sinclair reacts after scoring the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick in the final minutes against China during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Group A match in Edmonton, Canada, June 6, 2015.

Marta

Brazil's Marta is a five time FIFA Woman's Player of the Year.

Marta reacts in the second half against Australia during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 round of 16 match in Moncton, Canada, June 21, 2015.

Nadine Angerer

Germany's Nadine Angerer plays her club football for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL.

Angerer gestures during the UEFA Women's European Championship Euro 2013 semi final football match Sweden vs Germany in Gothenburg, Sweden, July 24, 2013.

Michelle Akers

Michelle Akers scored the first ever goal for the U.S. Women's National Team on August 18, 1985

Here, Akers, right, sails past Nigeria's Ifeanyichukwu Chiejene as she heads the ball during the first half of their 1999 Women's World Cup game at Soldier Field in Chicago, June 24, 1999.

Renate Lingor

Germany's Renate Lingor was nominated as FIFA Women's Player of the Year in 2006.

Lingor takes a shot during the Women's Football Bronze Medal match between Germany and Japan during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, August 21, 2008.

Carli Lloyd

U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd emerged as the undisputed MVP of the 2015 Women's World Cup, after scoring the decisive goals in four consecutive games and winning the Golden Ball Trophy. Lloyd, who coach Jill Ellis calls "The Beast," also scored the fastest hat trick in Women's World Cup history, putting three goals on the board in just 16 minutes in Team USA's finals match against Japan, July 5, 2015.

Here, Lloyd fights for the ball against Katrina Gorry of Australia in the second half of a FIFA Women's World Cup Group D match at Winnipeg Stadium, June 8, 2015.