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Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach did not make the starting lineup for the Women's Professional Soccer All-Star Game last summer, earning a place only by coaches' votes.

This year, the U.S. Women's National Team's leading scorer was the top overall vote-getter and will captain one of two teams that face off today at KSU Soccer Stadium in Georgia.

Lingering effects from a broken leg sustained just before the 2008 Olympics hampered Wambach in last year's inaugural season, but that is ancient history.

"The leg break was a big deal," Wambach said. "I was still feeling it the first bit of last season. Now moving forward, it's nice to know it's not going to hamper me, which I thought it would for the rest of my career. But I can move on from it."

The 22 starters in the all-star game were chosen on ballots from players, coaches, media and online fan voting, all worth 25 percent each. FC Gold Pride forward Marta will captain the other team. Freedom captain Cat Whitehill, a defender, and midfielder Sonia Bompastor were also named to the 2010 contingent.

Wambach finished 2009 with eight goals and five assists. At the halfway point of this season, she is second in the league with a team-high five goals and leads WPS with seven assists.

"I think that experience really taught me what I needed to do. Not just to make an all-star roster — that's more for show — but to start playing well for my team so we can score goals and win games," Wambach said. "That's how I work. I usually need a year of experience to figure out how to get the best out of myself."

Despite a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Independence on Saturday, its first defeat in eight games, Washington (4-3-3) remains in good playoff position heading into the second half of the season.

The Freedom are third in the league standings, and the top four teams reach the postseason. Washington fell to eventual WPS champion Sky Blue FC of New Jersey in last year's semifinals.

Wambach, who owns the best goals-per-game average in U.S. Soccer history, has made an impact as an all-around player this year. Just the fifth American player to score 100 goals internationally, she has been more willing this season to set talented teammates up.

Japan native Homare Sawa has been fantastic in her attacking midfield role with three goals, including two game-winners. Norway's Lene Mykjaland, back up top after missing several games with a knee injury, has also netted three.

Allie Long (2 goals), Christie Welsh (1), Rebecca Moros (1) and Bompastor (1, 4 assists) are all dangerous in the attacking third as well. Bompastor has moved back to midfield after a stint at the back, which has worked wonders for the team's offense.

"First of all, Sawa is playing the best I've seen her play in a long time, and that's exciting for our team," Whitehill said. "The way she's running off players is great. A lot of teams key in on Abby and double team her. ... But you can't just double team Abby because we have such firepower coming from the offensive area."

While Washington boasts the league's most potent offense, with 1.70 goals per game, its defense has allowed a league-high 1.40 goals per game.

Its most recent loss exposed an Achilles' heel, as the Freedom relinquished a 2-0 lead for the second straight game, this time with a game-winning third to follow. The three goals allowed were the most Washington had given up in league play since a 3-1 loss to the Independence on April 25.

"We're starting out games well or ending games well," Whitehill said. "Now we're getting pummeled because we'll take a lead and all of a sudden we'll relax. We have to stay focused for all 90 minutes."

The Freedom kick off a seven-game July slate 5 p.m. Saturday, as they host Chicago at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds.

"Consistency will be the most important thing for us [down the stretch]," Wambach said. "We can't get too high or too low. ... I think we're one of the best teams in the league, but this league wouldn't be this league without a little bit of luck."