Flash-magicJack game shatters crowd record
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jul 20, 2011
[WPS] The Western New York Flash drew a record WPS crowd of 15,404 fans at Sahlen's Stadium for the homecoming of Rochester, N.Y., native Abby Wambach with magicJack, and they didn't go home disappointed. No, Wambach didn't play, but the Flash triumphed, 3-1. While all of the other U.S. World Cup stars
except Alex Morgan didn't play, Christine Sinclair, who just returned from her third World Cup with Canada, stole the
show, with two goals and an assist.
The crowd was also the largest for a soccer game in Rochester since the NASL Lancers played Pele's Cosmos in
1977 and drew 20,000 at Holleder Stadium.
“You would have thought we won,” said Wambach, whose family owns a garden center in nearby Pittsford.
Wambach returned
to New York on Monday, did "The Today Show," "Good Morning America" and "The Late Show with David Letterman" on Tuesday and attended a rally in Rochester on Wednesday afternoon.
Four
World Cup players started for the Flash -- Brazilian Marta, Canadian Candace Chapman, New Zealand international Ali Riley and Sinclair -- while three started for magicJack -- U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn, Canadian Sophie Schmidt and Australian Lisa Da Vanna.
Morgan came on for Sinclair late in the game and had several chances
to score. Wambach, Hope Solo, Christie Rampone and Megan
Rapinoe didn't play for magicJack.
July 20 in Rochester, N.Y.
Western NY 3 magicJack 1.
Goals: Sinclair 9, 51, Zerboni 70; Masar 41.
Western NY -- Harris, Riley, Chapman, Engen, Moros, Zerboni (Wilson, 78), Sinclair (Morgan, 72), Edwards,
Averbuch (Goebel, 46), Bock, Marta.
magicJack -- Loyden, Ellertson, Sauerbrunn, Marshall, Dalmy, Schmidt, Huffman (Vandenberg, 80), Washington, Da Vanna
(Rasmussen, 60), Press, Masar.
Att.: 15,404.
I enjoyed seeing wambach getting the recognition she deserved by the people of the area. She not only represented women's soccer, but the USA very well. I was amused however when she made the statement she was going to London to bring back the gold or not coming back without it, etc...now, I say you, we DO want her coming back, with or without gold, yes, love to see her with the gold an USA, but, as long as she gives her best which she does...an continues to display the leadership for younger players coming on strong, that wll be good enough for me...an, I especially love the people of Rochestor who showed appreciation to this great athlete....the more people that are interested in the sport, the greater the developement...I know people that do not know anything about soccer, but, watched the finals..this is great...