Women’s World Cup Frenzy Fueled by Local Ties

Buffalo is a city known for it's passion for sports of all kinds, especially when their own athletes are involved. Attention and expectations were at an all time high for women's soccer this weekend as the national team faced off against Japan for the coveted World Cup. Unfortunately, the game ended in a fashion Buffalo sports fans know all too well, a heartbreaking loss in penalty kicks. Imagine the Sabres losing the Stanley Cup in a shootout, yeah, that heartbreaking.

While the loss was disappointing, Western New Yorker's can take solace in the fact that their local athletes represented the area well. Abby Wambach, a native of Pittsford, NY, stole the show with her clutch head-in goals in both the semi-final and final games. Alex Morgan, representing the WNY Flash, a local women's soccer club, set up the second U.S. goal late in the World Cup Final.

The extra attention given to the World Cup should shed light onto the often overlooked sport of soccer, especially on the local scene. If you need your fix of soccer in WNY, check out FC Buffalo,a men's team who play in the National Premier Soccer League, and whose home games are conveniently located at All-High Stadium in Buffalo. For women's soccer, check out the WNY Flash, part of Women's Professional Soccer,and whose home games are played in Rochester, NY.

Check out highlights from Sunday's World Cup Final match: