ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Abby Wambach is coming home to an anticipated full house in Rochester in the U.S. women’s soccer star’s first game since a World Cup final loss to Japan last weekend.
The Sahlen’s Stadium ticket office reported Tuesday morning that there are about 100 tickets left for the Women’s Professional Soccer league game Wednesday night between Wambach’s magicJack and the Western New York Flash. The downtown Rochester stadium’s capacity is 13,500, though temporary bleachers have been added that would boost the total to about 15,000.
The draw has the potential to be record-setting in the WPS’ three-year history. The league’s attendance record stands at 14,832, set in the WPS’ first game in 2009 at Los Angeles. Second on the list is a crowd of 8,076 that turned out in Rochester in May to watch Wambach make her first trip home this season in a 3-0 loss to the expansion Flash, who are led by Brazilian star Marta.
The 31-year-old Wambach is from suburban Pittsford. The first 1,000 fans will receive Wambach bobbleheads.
Also on hand for the game will be U.S. teammates Alex Morgan, who plays for the Flash, and magicJack’s Megan Rapinoe.
The owner of south Florida-based magicJack, Dan Borislow, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle he expects Wambach to be tired, but will want to play.
Wambach led the U.S. with four goals in Germany, upping her World Cup career total to 13 which puts her third on the all-time scoring list.
She’s had a busy schedule since returning to the U.S. on Monday. Joined by her U.S. teammates, Wambach was interviewed on ABC News “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. Later in the day, she and goalie Hope Solo were scheduled to appear on the “Late Show With David Letterman.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Wambach, Morgan and Rapinoe are scheduled to attend what’s billed as “a homecoming rally” at a mall outside of Rochester.
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