Abby Wambach says she plans to train with Seattle Reign FC at times before the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Wambach was traded to Seattle at the end of March in a blockbuster deal that sent Sydney Leroux to the Western New York Flash. Wambach had previously announced that she would sit out the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League season in order to focus entirely on the World Cup.
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The 34-year-old striker also cited a desire to be at her new home in the Portland, Ore., in her limited time outside of soccer. Now that the NWSL team which owns her rights is just a few hours up the road, Wambach foresees spending some time with the Reign to keep in shape.
“The fact that they would trade for me knowing that I wasn’t going to play, that meant a lot,” Wambach told Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press. “I think I’m going to head to Seattle a few days a week, get some time with the Reign, get some individual sessions with Laura (Harvey), their coach, and stay sharp that way. For me, fitness is always an evolution, but I’m going to be 100 percent ready when the World Cup starts.”
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Wambach says she understands that she is getting older and she has to figure out how to best manage her body.
“I do know that come June I’ll be my fittest and hopefully be playing my very best soccer.”