 Born in Rochester , New York , Wambach was raised in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford . She is the youngest of seven siblings ( with two sisters and four brothers ) born to Pete and Judy Wambach . She began playing soccer at the age of four after her sister decided she wanted to try the sport . Their mother checked out a book from the library explaining how to play the game , and from then on soccer became part of their family tradition . " I think I was bred to do what I do now " , Wambach said in an interview . " Growing up as the youngest of seven was like being in a team environment , you learn all kinds of things ... I learned how to compete , my brothers and sisters always played with me on the same level and they never let me win until I was better than them and deserved it . Being in such a big family makes you humble . You might have a certain skill or talent but there is always someone who is better at something than you . " 
