Livermore Fusion Soccer Club Turns 40 With Abby Wambach

Livermore Fusion Soccer Club hosted an exhilarating 40th anniversary celebration Saturday, September 10 at Robertson Park in Livermore.

Soccer superstar Abby Wambach headlined the event. Fusion and Wambach partnered on "Every Goal Counts," a fundraising campaign that culminated with Saturday's celebration. The campaign raised over $48,000 for juvenile diabetes research, Fusion financial aid, and Fusion TOPSoccer, a soccer program for special needs children. Players from Fusion and neighboring soccer clubs raised all of the money.

For five hours under a scorching sun, Wambach treated the 200+ attendees to an unforgettable experience that featured clinics, meet & greets, autographs, photos, Q&A session, selfie shoots, and contests. For the grand finale, Wambach played in scrimmages with the top 32 fundraisers. The event concluded with lunch for Wambach and the top ten fundraisers at Patxi's Pizza, sponsored by Provident Bank Mortgage.

Wambach is the leading goal scorer in international soccer history, two-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time US Soccer Federation Athlete of the Year, World Cup Champion, and member of the 2015 TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world. Earlier this year Wambach received ESPN's first-ever ESPY icon award, along with Kobe Bryant and Peyton Manning.

Fusion Board President Dave Moore called the event a "perfect way to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Abby Wambach was truly inspirational and left many young players with unforgettable memories of a very special day. It was an amazing event that will leave a lasting impression on Fusion, the kids who participated, and the City of Livermore."

Assemblywoman Catherine Baker and Livermore Mayor John Marchand each presented proclamations honoring Fusion for 40 years of service. "Fusion Soccer Club has enriched the lives of local young athletes and families for 40 years, and that is a great milestone to celebrate," noted Baker. "Having Abby Wambach there to congratulate, encourage, answer questions from, and play with the kids just shows how much Fusion means to our community. Thank you Fusion SC for promoting the love of soccer and bringing our community together for 40 years!"

Wambach is passionate about TOPSoccer, and her TOPSoccer clinic provided some of the day's more memorable moments. Katie Moe is a Pleasanton realtor whose company helped sponsor the event. Her daughter Taylor is a Fusion TOPSoccer player who participated in the clinic. "Abby connected with Taylor on so many different levels," said Moe. "Throughout the day Taylor kept wanting to play with Abby or give her a high five. And all night Taylor kept saying that she and Abby were 'forever friends.' This was the best unexpected gift for my Taylor and our family."

For more information on Fusion soccer visit www.fusionsc.org.