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Wambach on 2016 Olympics: ‘Decision for next year’

Abby Wambach says she'll decide next year whether or not she'll pursue a spot in the 2016 Olympics. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)

Abby Wambach says she’ll decide next year whether or not she’ll pursue a spot in the 2016 Olympics. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)

This summer’s World Cup will be Abby Wambach‘s last, but it is unclear if the world’s all-time leading goal-scorer will play at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“That’s going to be a decision for next year depending on how my body feels,” Wambach told USA Today regarding the Olympics. “I can’t imagine not wanting to go to an Olympic Games. But right now I really just have to put all my focus and energy toward the World Cup and definitely make those decisions after.”

Wambach recently announced that she would not play in the National Women’s Soccer League this season. Earlier this week her rights were traded to Seattle Reign FC, and while Reign FC coach Laura Harvey says there is no pressure on Wambach to change her mind about 2015, the possibility remains.

[DULHANTY: A look at Abby Wambach’s scoring form using analytics]

Wambach’s decision to pursue a roster spot for Rio will likely be greatly impacted by the outcome of this year’s World Cup. Anything short of a title could fuel a desire to out as a winner in the Olympics, of which the U.S. is the reigning three-time champions.

But complicating all of that is making the team. Olympic soccer rosters consist of only 18 players — five fewer than those for the World Cup. On a team particularly deep at forward, that will make for some tough decisions come Rio. There is time to figure that out, though. First, Canada beckons.

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