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USL Orange County SC

Abby Wambach to Feature at July 8 Doubleheader

June 29, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


FULLERTON, Calif. - The Blues are proud to announce U.S. Women's National Team star Abby Wambach will be at Fullerton 's Titan Stadium on Sunday, July 8, for a historic day of soccer in Orange County . For $10, fans will be able to see the Blues' W-League sister club, the 10-0-1 Pali Blues, take on the Colorado Rapids Women (noon), with an Olympic Send-Off Ceremony being held for Wambach either at halftime or after the match, followed by the men's USL PRO top clash with defending champions and current league leaders Orlando City (5 p.m.).

Wambach is one of the biggest stars in the history of women's soccer, having found the net over 140 times in nearly 200 appearances with the United States National Team and having scored goals in three consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup finals. The 32-year-old is the U.S.'s all-time leading goal-scorer in World Cup finals with 13 tallies, which puts her in second place worldwide behind Brazil 's Marta and Germany 's Birgit Prinz. Wambach has won the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Award five times.

In 2003, the native of Rochester, New York, was named to the Women's World Cup roster and helped the team to a third place finish, earning her first U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award in the process. The following year, she enjoyed an outstanding Olympics that included the game-winner against Brazil in stoppage time of the gold medal match and saw her earn her second U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year award as well as finish fourth in the voting for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, a feat that she was able to repeat in 2006.

In 2007, Wambach was once again nominated to the U.S. Women's World Cup roster and became one of the biggest stars of the tournament when her six goals in six matches saw her team finish third and the then 27-year-old earn yet another U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Award.

After being recognized with the prestigious honor for the fourth time in 2010, the legendary striker once again played in the FIFA Women's World Cup the following year and created one of the most memorable moments in the history of the game when her header in the final minute of overtime saw the U.S. tie Brazil and advance to the semifinals on penalty kicks.

While the U.S. would finish as runner-up in the tournament, Wambach's dramatic goal would later be recognized with the 2011 ESPY Award for the Best Play of the Year. In addition, her four tallies over the course of the tournament earned her the FIFA Women's World Cup Bronze Boot as well as recognition as the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year and U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.

With the 2012 Olympic Games right around the corner and Wambach having missed the 2008 edition due to injury, her mission is to use her goal-scoring magic in London, England, in July and August to help the U.S. Women to their third consecutive gold medal. Join us at Fullerton's Titan Stadium on July 8 for a historic day of soccer, as we will welcome one of the biggest stars in the history of the women's game for a Send-Off Ceremony ahead of the big tournament.

Friday, July 6, will also feature a doubleheader at Titan Stadium, with the Pali Blues taking on the Colorado Rush ( 3 p.m. ) and the USL PRO Blues battling Orlando City ( 7.30 p.m. ) on $3 Beer Night. Tickets for both Friday and Sunday are $10 and may be purchased by calling 714-738-8011 or by visiting www.labluesprosoccer.com.

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