Huge Welcome Home For Abby Wambach and U.S. Women
Soccer gold takes center stage this weekend in Rochester. The Olympic gold medal winning U.S. women's soccer team begins its victory tour Saturday afternoon at Sahlen's Stadium.
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"It's a privilege for me as the Mayor of the City of Rochester, who's stadium you're in, to proclaim that this will be Wambach Way,” said Tom Richards, (D), Rochester Mayor.
Hundreds of soccer fans jammed the main entrance to Sahlen's Stadium for the dedication of Wambach Way. That walkway named for Abby Wambach who's international play has put Rochester on the worldwide soccer map.
"I don't really look at myself in that kind of light. I look myself in the mirror like all the rest of us do. I'm a normal person. I do something pretty extraordinary; that doesn't make me better than anybody else,” said Wambach.
Following the dedication of Wambach Way, the U.S. National Team took to the Sahlen's Stadium pitch for its first workout since winning Olympic Gold three weeks ago. The practice session drew nearly 3,000 people; many of whom were not able get tickets to Saturday's match, but that didn't seem to matter.
"It just seems like there's a lot of interaction, the players have been great about waving and I know Hope was talking to some of the girls behind the goal there. We really get to see them and see a little personality too. It's really nice," said Allison Chanler, Geneseo.
Chanler's daughter Mary and her friend Sarah Hammond call themselves huge soccer fans. The girls were excited about getting an up close look at the gold medal winners.
"I play soccer and I'm really interested in soccer, so yeah,” said Mary.
"I like soccer too and Abby Wambach is my hero,” Sarah said.
The players took time after their workout to mingle with the crowd and sign autographs; an opportunity that won’t be available to those attending the game.
“It means a lot because I love soccer and I want to be like them,” said Georgia Wright, from Clarence.
Women and young girls made up the majority of the crowd and there were a few dads that brought their daughters. There also were other men scattered among the fans that came to see the Olympic champions.
“They’re just a really great team,” said Vince Marino, Spencerport. “ I don’t care if you’re a guy soccer player or a girl soccer player and the U.S. is the best team, gold medal winners. It’s just great to be out here to watch them, you know.”
Vince Marino has the best of both worlds. Not only did he attend the practice session, he also has tickets to the game. That match against Costa Rica at Sahlen's Stadium kicks off at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.
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