On March 18, 2015, United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) star Abby Wambach announced that she will not be participating in the 2015 National Women Soccer League (NWSL) to prepare for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup this summer. She first shared the news with her NWSL team, Western New York Flash then later with FIFA.com.
Since her debut in 2001, Wambach has become the figure for the USWNT. She has recorded 178 international goals, has won two Olympic gold medals, and has been to three World Cups. In those three World Cup appearances, Wambach has yet to win the gold. The closest she has been was in 2011 when the United States (U.S.) lost to Japan in a penalty shootout in the final match of the tournament.
Wambach really supports the NWSL and what it does for women soccer, but she knows that she is not the same player she was a couple years ago. The 34-year-old veteran knows what she has to do physically and mentally to prepare for this summer. Wambach is glad that she has the support of Flash owners and fans to try and bring back the World Cup to the U.S. since the U.S. win back in 1999.
The year 2014 has been a rough one for Wambach having suffered a knee injury back in June during a NWSL match and also having to adjust to a new coaching team, midway in the year, for the USWNT. She is putting the year 2014 behind her and is ready for 2015. Wambach believes that the U.S. has what it takes to win this year’s Women’s World Cup. It is just going to take a lot of hard work, determination, and just a little bit of luck.
The USWNT’s first game in the World Cup will be against Australia on June 8th.