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Wambach wows local soccer fans

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Long Island soccer fans rejoiced as World Cup champion and all-time leading goal scorer for the United States Women’s National Team Abby Wambach arrived in Garden City for a meet and greet with fans at Roosevelt Field Mall last week.

“It feels really good,” said Wambach, whose team capped off its dramatic run in Canada on July 5. “Having represented my country for so long and now finally being able to share the World Cup with my fans, with my home-state fans, there may be no better feeling.”

Wambach was at the Microsoft Store for the Windows 10 launch on July 29 with a line of fans wrapping around the store and along the mall’s walkways.

“Do you know how transcending that is?” Wambach noted about women athletes being supported by large corporations such as Microsoft. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for these things to happen throughout my career?”

Among the many fans that came to see Wambach were those from the non-profit organization, Best Buddies, which assists teenagers and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “I am thrilled to be here,” said Laura Garelick, an advisor from the organization’s Oceanside chapter, who explained that the group tries to go to events that can help and inspire the people that it serves.

Best Buddies volunteers Julia Pfeifer, 17, and Kaitlin Costello, 17, said the Oceanside chapter was awarded New York State Chapter of the Year. Kaitlin’s brother, Kevin, a member of Best Buddies, was smiling with joy that he was able to attend the meet and greet. The group was awarded seven Xbox One consoles from the Microsoft Store.

Another member, Marc Anthony, of East Meadow, arrived at the mall before 6 a.m. for his chance to see Wambach later that evening. He said he admires her qualities of determination, leadership and class. “She has inspired me to stay healthy,” he said. “I have always admired her in the sports industry. I just can’t believe that I met her.”

Wambach’s appearance brought several young female soccer players to tears, including Isabella Zambrano, 7, of Valley Stream, who wore a jersey bearing the soccer star’s name. Gabriel Paniagua, 8, also of Valley Stream, said that Wambach asked him for his name. “I was kind of nervous and excited,” he said.

Wambach emphasized authenticity in decision making. She explained that she reached success in her career by being herself. “I’ve made a living off finding my own path,” she said. “Find out who you are first. Make sure the choices you make throughout your life are your own. I challenge every person to do that.”

Fans travelled from as far as Patchogue and Coram, and as close as East Meadow and Garden City for a quick meeting with Wambach.

Tim Graham, Valley Stream Soccer Club president, was in attendance with his daughter Blair, 9, and her friend, Alyssa Illiano, 10. Blair Graham is a member of the Valley Stream travel soccer organization, while Illiano plays for the Valley Stream Fury. After waiting four and a half hours, they finally received their signed pictures.

“She had a quiet confidence and seemed very approachable,” said Kaitlin Kingston, 20, of Wantagh, who watched from a distance as Wambach played on several of the Microsoft laptops. Kingston is a junior on the LIU Post Women’s Soccer Team. Kingston noted Wambach’s unassuming nature as she casually interacted with the fans.

One day after her Roosevelt Field appearance, Wambach threw out the honorary first pitch before a New York Mets game at Citi Field.

“You can always envision it, you can always dream things,” said Wambach about trying to win a World Cup. “When that final whistle blew in Canada just over three weeks ago, that’s when I finally realized that I was a World Cup champion for the first time.”