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Chat Reel: Kristine Lilly
200 caps? 'You bet!' says Team USA's midfielder
Posted: Tuesday May 09, 2000 06:20 PM
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Kristine Lilly promises she'll play soccer as long as she can, especially if a women's pro league gets off the ground. Al Bello/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's soccer chat with Kristine Lilly. Hi Kristine. Thanks for joining us.
Kristine Lilly: Thanks for having me.
From Guest: Kristine, can you tell us what it was like to play your 200th game and how the team and women's soccer has changed since you played your first game while still in high school in 1987?
Kristine Lilly: A lot has changed since 1987. Basically, the media, the attention, the number of games we play a year and the crowds at the game - it's amazing. When you look at myself reaching 200 games, I think as you see where the growth of the game has gone, it is a credit to our team and what we've done. Winning the WWC has taken us to another level - financially and the notoriety. People are interested in women's soccer that never were before. The game has really grown and it will continue to grow.
From Melissa in Piscataway, N.J.: How did you feel the night before you played your 200th game? And how did you feel being carried off the field?
Kristine Lilly: It was hilarious. It was great. The whole day was absolutely amazing. Winning topped it off and being sunny was great - having the sun was the icing on the cake. My team was great - they gave me flowers and a bracelet before the game, which had me in tears. Afterwards, I didn't know they were going to carry me off - I turned to hug Carla and the next thing I knew they were picking me up. It was great.
From Maria in Columbia, Mo.: Now that you've played in 200 (wow!) games, which one was most special to you? Which one had the best crowd?
Kristine Lilly: Of all the 200? *laughs* There are a ton of great moments in my career - it's hard to pick one. I do remember my first game. Playing in my 200th game with a different feeling means a lot to me as a player because that means I've come a long way. The best crowd I would say was the World Cup final.
From Aly: The fans were a big part of the WWC, is there anything that a fan did for you all that you won't forget?
Kristine Lilly: Not necessarily, but a fan made a mixed tape and gave it to one of my teammate's brothers. I don't know who made the tape, but it's freaky, because it seems like the person knew me because there were a lot of songs on it that I liked.
From Nan: Congrats on all of your achievements! How do you feel about the upcoming summer schedule which looks heavy May-July?
Kristine Lilly: Tell me about it! We have a trip to Australia, Germany and Norway - three big things for us. It'll be important for us to maintain our physical and mental balance in order for us to prepare for the Olympics.
From Guest: Kristine, How do you think the team is adjusting to the 4-4-2? It seems when you switch to 3-4-3 recently the team gets more aggressive on offense. BTW, Love the gold boot! Way to go Adidas!
Kristine Lilly: The shoe was awesome. I think the team is adjusting very well. We have played the 3-4-3 for so long that it comes easier to us. That's probably why it seems why we're attacking more, it is more of an attacking system. The more we play the 4-4-2, the more effective we'll be.
From Guest: There has been some discussion on your shoes for Sunday's game. I happened to like them, because it was your day to shine. What do you think?
Kristine Lilly: I love them! All my teammates love them too. Adidas made me a special pair that were gold. They had 200 on the back and Lilly on the front. They honored me for the 200 games and that's the only game that I'll wear the shoes. They gave me two pairs. I'm keeping one pair and maybe sending the other pair to the Soccer Hall of Fame.
From Guest: At one of the training camps in Florida that I attended, I saw the team's secret gum stash. I have NEVER seen so much gum in my life! What's your favorite flavor?
Kristine Lilly: Our equipment manager Dainis takes care of us. He knows that we love having candy and gum to chew before the game. He keeps it in his box. My favorite is the grape sugarless - the flavor lasts the longest. Dianis never lets us down - he always has something.
From Robin in Seattle: After your competitive career ends what are your plans? Is coaching in your future?
Kristine Lilly: I'm not sure if I'll enter the coaching world or not. I don't know how long my career will go. Hopefully the WUSA will get sanctioned by US Soccer and I'll take part in that for as long as I can when I am done with the National Team. And then maybe teach, who knows.
From Reeses: Are you guys going to get ANY breaks this summer? If so, what do you plan on doing?
Kristine Lilly: We don't have any breaks! Just kidding. During breaks, I rest. I'll see some friends during this break. I'll see a friend from high school and Tish, who got released from the team this year.
From Yvonne: Are you, Julie, and Carla still calling your residency home, "three babes and a baby" or has the name changed?
Kristine Lilly: No, we're not. We haven't thought of a good name yet.
From Christie in Ky.: Congratulations on 200! How is Molson and what do you do with him when you are on the road?
Kristine Lilly: Molson is fine. He's with his daddy.
From SFFAN in San Francisco: The team has a really aggressive international schedule over the next few months. How do you feel about that? Do you think more time at training camp would be more useful?
Kristine Lilly: I think playing our competitive schedule is good. You can play too much and not train enough, but we have been training a lot over these past two and a half months for these games coming up.
From Sarah: Who do you expect to be the main competition for the US in Sydney? Have other national teams been working as hard as you guys?
Kristine Lilly: I think all of the teams that will be in the Olympics will be contenders for a gold medal. I think other countries have seen the success we've had with soccer in the US and have put more money and commitment behind their coaches and players.
CNNSI Host: From Nan: I work with a college soccer team. Before games I always try to psych them up. Do you have any suggestions that work for you and the team?
Kristine Lilly: Have a teammate like Julie Foudy. Individually we all have our own ways to get prepared for a game, but a lot of it comes from encouraging each other before the game starts.
From Scott in Sausalito, Calif.: Do you play any other sports -- like hoops?
Kristine Lilly: I used to play hoops in high school, but I don't play it as much anymore. I'd rather watch it. I enjoy playing golf, roller blading and biking in my down time, which is never.
From Robin in Seattle: Who was your biggest soccer influence growing up?
Kristine Lilly: My older brother was my major influence.
From Speedball: Women's soccer is probably the most entertaining sport going right now. Y'all seem to put so much more emphasis on skills and much less on just running faster than everybody else. Is that kind of high skill level something we can expect to continue once y'all start league play or do you think that the best women players will be stretched so thin that the women's game will become a just a slower version of MLS?
Kristine Lilly: The women's game is slower than the men's no matter how you look at it. But I think we have our own style that attracts our audiences and makes it entertaining for people to watch.
From Guest: Is the team looking forward to playing China again?
Kristine Lilly: Yes, we are. We enjoy playing the best teams in the world becasue it helps us get better and China is one of the teams we know we'll face along the way to the Olympics.
From Scott in Greenville, S.C.: We all know it must be a completely different environment with April at the helm. Will the style of play change a bit in lieu of new personnel and what do you foresee as your obstacles going into Sydney?
Kristine Lilly: I think our style of play will change in some ways. I think April came in here knowing what our strengths were and has taken our strengths to another level while trying other systems to make this team the best it can possible be.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Kristine. Good luck on the rest of the tour.
Kristine Lilly: Thank you - and please check my diary for the latest with me.
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