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Wed, Jun 30th 2010, 09:48
Wambach a leader in more ways than one
Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach did not make the starting lineup for the Women’s Professional Soccer All-Star Game last summer, earning a place only by coaches’ votes.
This year, the U.S. Women’s National Team’s leading scorer was the top overall vote-getter and will captain one of two teams that face off today at KSU Soccer Stadium in Georgia.
Lingering effects from a broken leg sustained just before the 2008 Olympics hampered Wambach in last year’s inaugural season, but that is ancient history.
“The leg break was a big deal,” Wambach said. “I was still feeling it the first bit of last season. Now moving forward, it’s nice to know it’s not going to hamper me, which I thought it would for the rest of my career. But I can move on from it.”
The 22 starters in the all-star game were chosen on ballots from players, coaches, media and online fan voting, all worth 25 percent each. FC Gold Pride forward Marta will captain the other team. Freedom captain Cat Whitehill, a defender, and midfielder Sonia Bompastor were also named to the 2010 contingent.
Wambach finished 2009 with eight goals and five assists. At the halfway point of this season, she is second in the league with a team-high five goals and leads WPS with seven assists.
“I think that experience really taught me what I needed to do. Not just to make an all-star roster — that’s more for show — but to start playing well for my team so we can score goals and win games,” Wambach said. “That’s how I work. I usually need a year of experience to figure out how to get the best out of myself.”
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