 |
|||||
|
|||||
|
Connecticut product Kristine Lilly will sit out this year's Olympics. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com) |
Connecticut native and former Boston Breaker Kristine Lilly announced she will not compete in the 2008 Olympic Games next summer if the United States qualifies in April.
The most experienced member of the U.S. women's national team is due to give birth to her first child in July. Lilly, 36, holds the world record for caps with 340.
"I'm not closing any doors as far as soccer," Lilly told Soccer America. "I hope to play in the new league and if one day I get the chance to play for [new U.S. head coach] Pia [Sundhage], that would be fantastic. But for now, I'm focusing on becoming a mom for the first time and everything that goes with that experience."
Lilly, a native of Wilton, Connecticut who has made her mark on the Boston soccer scene with both the Breakers and the U.S. National Team, captained the U.S. for the last three years. Since debuting in 1987 at age 16, she's scored 129 goals for the Red, White and Blue.
Lilly is the first women -- and third athlete ever -- to participate in five different FIFA World Cups. She has represented America at all eight of its Women's World Cup and Olympics appearances during her time with the club. The 340 caps are a world record and her 129 goals are second only to Mia Hamm (158) in women's international soccer history.
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWebReturn to top