Kirstine Lilly. 352 caps for the United States Women's Nation Team. 130 goals. Two World Cups. An absolutely legend. Yesterday, Lilly announced her retirement from professional soccer after over twenty years playing for the national team. She was both the youngest (16) and oldest (38) to soccer for the Lady Nats, as well.
She was the last link the National Team had to the famous 99ers, the team that captivated a nation on their dramatic run to the Women's World Cup Final in 1999. Gone were Hamm, Chastain, Foudy, and Akers. Only Lilly remained.
Now the USWNT will be out from behind that great shadow as they prepare for the 2011 Women's World Cup, but the leadership and inspiration that Lilly provided will have to come from somewhere else.
While most of the American soccer world spends its time and energy on the men's team, the Women's National Team has and will always have a special place in my heart. It was that fateful run in 1999 that solidified by love for American soccer (and, frankly, saved me from my disappointment from the 1998 disaster by the men) and inspired generations of American girls (and boys) to play this sport. Lilly will always have an important place in helping build soccer in this nation.
USSoccer.com put together a tribute video from Lilly:
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