The Official Site of Abby Wambach

Sat, Dec 27th 2008, 14:55

Abby answers questions from fans

Q: hi abby i was wondering if u had any good training ideas for someone to do on thier own. thanks haley powers

AW: Training on your own is a very difficult thing to do, and it takes a lot of discipline. Before you even start, go into it with the mindset that you never can work hard enough. It’s a national team mentality,” that your best is what we ask for, but we can always do even better.” I would play with the ball as much as you can. Get so comfortable with it that you never have to look down to know where it is. You can do this by doing corver moves. This is sometimes boring, but it’s something I really wish I did more of. And always keeping in mind that everything should be done at game speed. You’ll play like you practice, so get used to game speed as much as possible. When you’re ready to fall over, and have nothing left in your tank… then is when you may call it a day.

Q: What are you going to miss the most about Mia, Joy, and Julie?

AW: Mainly I am going to miss the connection we had off the field. What I’ve realize at this point in my career is that everyone is excellent. Yes, Mia, Julie, and Joy exude that and more. But their friendship means so much to me. It’s like having a sister, and she leaves for college. Except this time, they may only come back (to watch) a few times a year. Either way, these women have given me an opportunity. So we all must move forward, and keep this game moving in a good direction, so girls like yourself can have a place to play when you grow up.

Q: What does it feel like to play a full 90 minutes of professional soccer? Are you just dead tired afterwards or do you get a rush from playing?

AW: I get a rush from playing, and never get too exhausted until that final whistle blows. I love the way my legs feel when I can barely pick them up. It is evidence that I did all I could during the course of the game. Ultimately, that is my goal before every game, LEAVE IT ON THE FIELD!!!!

Q: What would you say has been the most difficult thing to cope with as your fame and popularity has risen over the past few years?

AW: Fame and popularity has never been on my goals list. In fact, I steer clear of it, if possible. I love playing soccer. I’m good at it, but I don’t think that makes me any better than anyone else. It is part of the responsibility and one that I’m willing to accept, no matter how hard I fight it. It’s for the future.

Q: Hey Abby! Thanks for taking my question… for those of us who can only dream… what was it like to step onto the field, and wear the jersey, for the first time as a member of the US Women’s National Team?

AW: It’s just as you would imagine it to be. I walked into the locker room, where they hang up everybody’s jerseys. I got to my locker, since the jersey’s are in number order, and saw my name on the back of it. To me, that was the best, and then putting it on, well there really are no words. But that’s just it. It’s probably as exciting as you think it would be. Go for it, you never know what can happen.