MVP Health Care and its operating subsidiary, Preferred Care, have announced that, despite a recent injury that prevented her from competing on the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing, Abby Wambach will conduct youth soccer clinics in September in Albany, the Hudson Valley, Rochester and Syracuse, and in October in Vermont and New Hampshire. Specific locations, dates, times and registration information will be announced in the near future.

Wambach sustained a broken leg, the first serious injury of her career, during an exhibition game with Brazil on July 16 in San Diego.

The health plans also announced that they have placed on their KidPower Web sites -- www.PCKidPower.com and www.MVPKidPower.com -- a quick and easy way to send "get well" messages to Abby. "Abby’s fans can just visit one of the sites and click on the link on the home page, enter their message and send it," said David Henderson, MVP’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

"My rehabilitation program is going very well," commented Wambach. "My leg is getting stronger every day and, while I am disappointed that I did not participate in the 2008 Olympics…

"I know my fans in upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire are looking forward to my soccer clinic appearances that MVP Health Care and Preferred Care are scheduling for this fall. I encourage fans to revisit the KidPower sites periodically to learn more about the specific clinic dates and how to register."

"We recognize Abby’s disappointment, but we also see how strong she is and how well she has dealt with her setback," Henderson said. "Abby Wambach is proving once again what a great role model she is for youth, in this case a role model for how to deal with adversity. We are thrilled that her rehabilitation is going well and that she will be able to be with us this fall."

Preferred Care began its relationship with Wambach early in 2004. Later that year, she scored the Gold Medal winning goal at the 2004 Olympic Games. Wambach has conducted youth soccer clinics, reaching more than 6,000 young people beginning the fall of 2004. In 2007, the clinics were expanded to reach youth in the Capital District and Syracuse. The 2008 schedule of clinics is the first to include an appearance in the Hudson Valley, Vermont and New Hampshire.