By now everyone has heard the news. The photo of Abby's Agonizing Face could be seen all over the internet. I heard the story even crossed the lips of the Today Show anchors.
Having just met the tall and humble striker at her WPS sponsored appearance at the Region 1 championships in Maine, I find it particularly painful on her behalf. When you meet such a "class act," it isn't just the player, it's the person you find yourself connected to. And when you feel that connection, her fate becomes personal.
Abby Wambach valiantly said all the right things in support of her team after her injury. But the looks on the faces of other key US players were revealing. Tears streamed down the cheeks of Carli Lloyd and Heather O. And it looked like with the saddness for their teammate, their confidence would take an understandable hit. Let's hope that's only temporary.
When discussing the American women's soccer strengths, the veterans in particular talk about the "USA mentality." It's what has set them apart, kept them on the victory stand. So, now the question is whether that strength of confidence, attitude and spirit--that nebulous quality you can't quite put a finger on--will be their salvation--especially since the player who most defined that mentality on this team is the one out of the Games.
Even an iron mentality though can't erase the disappointment they, and all of us, feel for an athlete and person like Abby Wambach. Hers is a loss we feel on all fronts.
SBS Blogger
Read all about it on WPS homepage or here:
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/272109-3/LocalSports/Wambach_It_starts_here/
High-scoring US soccer Olympian Abby Wambach made an appearance for WPS at the Region 1 tournament, now underway in Maine. Abby signed autographs and spoke during the opening ceremonies and parade of all the teams in the event. Sky Blue had a few minutes to meet and greet Abby, who posed for this photo while she and I were watching Euro 2008 (you can see a Spanish player on the TV up high, on his way to winning the semi-final with his team). What particularly impressed about Abby was not just her easy-going, friendly manner, but her articulate answers to our questions. Most notable was her response to what she would recommend young players watch during the Olympics. I assumed she would discuss positioning, systems of play or line-ups. Instead, she implored viewers to see the passion, commitment and intensity the players possess, and to keep in mind how hard each and every one of them has worked to realize the dream of taking part in the Games.
We hear you Abby. It's a great way to view all athletic competition.
SBS Blogger
Tomorrow is another of Sky Blue/Atlantic Sports Health's ACL and sports injury prevention clinics. This one is at the Pingry sports summer camp. In our quest to keep every athlete safe and healthy, we continue to host these incredibly popular clinics, and invite any and all of you to contact us to see about arranging one for your group. In the meantime, Patric Santo Pietro noticed yet ANOTHER of the many media articles on the topic. You can check it out.
100000 in US undergo ACL surgery each year
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
Sports commonly associated with ACL tears and ruptures include football, tennis, basketball and soccer. Women have a higher rate of ACL injuries than men, ...
See all stories on this topic
MEET ABBY WAMBACH
In other Sky Blue news, Calling All Region 1 players who will be attending Regionals next week in Maine. Sky Blue and WPS will be there, visiting with special guest at the event, Olympian ABBY WAMBACH, who will be there to promote Women's Professional Soccer. Also, look for Sky Blue at the Falmouth venue at the WPS tent, and on Parade Day (Thursday) at both stadium sites. We'd especially like to meet the parents and families, and ask you all to come by and sign up to be on our email list.
OLYMPIC WOMEN'S SOCCER
Today, a couple of us met with Michael Cohen, the passionate and able head of the entire television broadcast of women's Olympic soccer. Michael works in television for MLS, and in a special assisgnment, has put together a fantastic broadcast team to cover every aspect of the Olympic soccer games. He informed us that the Olympic soccer coverage will be so extensive, that it will be covered by seven NBC platforms--including one specially designated just for soccer. But more, Michael knows the game, and the market, and is very intent on significant promotion of WPS during the Olympic broadcast of the women's games.
Speaking of the Olympics, have you heard? Four of New Jerseys own have made the squad, second only to huge California, with five. I'd love feedback on why you think our state is so strong in its production of top female soccer talent. Any ideas? Is it something in the water?
Stay tuned to Sky Blue, for our in-depth and cutting edge Olympic promotion.
Yours in soccer (and sun), SBS Blogger
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