Healing Up

The U.S. Women's National Team lost three key players during its run to the 2008 Olympics as Cat Whitehill and Leslie Osborne tore ACLs and Abby Wambach broke her leg. The WNT Blog is happy to report that all three are doing great and are on schedule -- or ahead of schedule -- in their comebacks.

Abby Wambach actually pulled on her cleats for the first time yesterday since breaking her leg and we were lucky enough to grab a pic (above). She is starting to kick a ball and do light running and is planning on being ready for the USA's training camp in late January. Abby has been at the USA's trainings during this camp and is looking great. Needless to say, she is chomping at the bit to get back into action. Pretty soon, we might have to tape her to the bench to keep her off the field.

Leslie Osborne, who took the opportunity to have reconstructive surgery on her knee and ankle after she tore her ACL is ahead of schedule as she has started playing a bit of soccer, without contact, but she is running, cutting and kicking. Due to the double surgeries, Osborne was predicted to be out 8-10 months, but may be back sooner. She came to the USA's training today and is also looking great.

Today was a big day for Cat Whitehill! She played pickup soccer for the first time and reports that she too is feeling great. She has been aggressive in her rehabilitation, but has set no time table for her return to action, so she's taking her time to make sure she is 100% healthy before diving into high level soccer again. She has also been working with a personal trainer, who has been "kicking my b--t."

All three on easily on pace to be at or close to 100% for the WPS season starting in April and the U.S. WNT looks forward to seeing them all back in a National Team uniform sometime in 2009.