Updates
Thu, May 20th 2010, 11:44
Veteran stars Lilly, Wambach determined to keep shining for U.S.
Abby Wambach has a broken nose. This minor inconvenience suffered in a game a month ago does not deter the dominating 5-foot-11 forward from attacking the goal as usual. In a Women’s Professional Soccer game last week, she still scored on a diving header.
Kristine Lilly has tiny creases that form around her eyes when she grins or squints into the sun. These small indications that she is 38 years old and has played more games than anyone in women’s soccer history do not slow the midfielder on the field, where she is counted on as much for her left-footed serving skills as she is for her experience.
There might be a handful of unknowns on this U.S. women’s soccer team as auditions continue while the squad prepares for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. But the core of the team, the ones who are toughest and most experienced, remain the old standbys.
Wambach and Lilly are two of the most decorated players in the sport’s history, two of the oldest (Wambach turns 30 June 2) on the national team and two who undoubtedly will be counted on Saturday at 6 p.m., when USA hosts Germany in a friendly match at Browns Stadium. USA currently is ranked No. 1 in the world, according to FIFA, while Germany is No. 2.
The U.S. team has until autumn to solidify a roster that will compete in World Cup qualifying games, but the sooner a rotation is decided upon, the better. Of the 22 players on this version of the team, 11 competed in the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China.
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