Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly, a legendary American soccer star, captivated fans with her exceptional talent and leadership. A two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, she left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring generations to pursue greatness.

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Profession :

Soccer Player

Birthday :

July 22, 1971

Age :

53

Kristine Marie Lilly, born on July 22, 1971, in New Canaan, Connecticut, is an American former soccer player widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time. Lilly grew up in Wilton, Connecticut, and attended Wilton High School. She started playing soccer at the age of five and excelled in the sport throughout her youth.

Lilly attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a soccer scholarship, where she played for the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer team from 1989 to 1992. During her time with the Tar Heels, she won four consecutive NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championships.

Her professional soccer career spanned from 1994 to 2010, during which she played for various teams, including the Washington Freedom, Boston Breakers, and New York Power in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA). Lilly also played for Tyresö FF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan league. She represented the United States women’s national soccer team from 1991 to 2010, earning a record 352 caps for the USWNT, the most by any player, male or female. With the national team, Lilly won two Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004) and two FIFA Women’s World Cups (1999, 2015).

Throughout her illustrious career, Lilly amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including being a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion (1999, 2015), a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004), and a four-time NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Champion (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992). She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008. Lilly was also named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year four times (1993, 2001, 2003, 2005).

Lilly is married to former professional soccer player and current coach, Claudio Reyna, and they have two children, a son named Jack and a daughter named Charlie. She is actively involved in various charitable organizations and initiatives, including the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Lilly holds the record for most appearances in international soccer matches by a female player and was the first female soccer player to have her jersey number (13) retired by a professional team (Boston Breakers). She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 1999, becoming the first female soccer player to do so. Known for her exceptional ball control, passing skills, and leadership on the field, Lilly played a pivotal role in elevating the profile of women’s soccer in the United States and inspiring future generations of athletes.