Farewell to a Legend - Kristine Lilly Retires

January 5, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Boston Breakers News Release


NORWOOD, Mass. (January 5, 2011) - Kristine Lilly, one of the most legendary figures in women's sports and holder of the world record with 352 international appearances for the United States Women's National Team, has announced her retirement from soccer.

Originally from Wilton, Connecticut, Lilly made her debut for the U.S. Women's National Team at the age of 16 on August 3rd, 1987. Over the course of the next 23 years, Lilly appeared in 352 matches for the United States, a number unparalleled in the history of men's or women's international soccer. During her time with the U.S. National Team, Lilly has appeared in five FIFA Women's World Cups and three Olympic Games, helping the United States win four of those tournaments.

At the club level, Kristine played her entire career for the Boston Breakers. From 2001 to 2003, Lilly starred as both the field leader and the public face of the Boston Breakers of the Women's United Soccer Association. When professional women's soccer re-launched in 2009 in the form of WPS, Lilly returned as Captain of the Breakers and played every minute of all 20 matches during the 2009 season at the age of 38. She played her final season with the Breakers in 2010, earning WPS All-Star honors for the second straight season and helping lead the club to the WPS Super Semi-Final.

"I told myself I would take until the end of the year to make a decision after some time off, so I wasn't just retiring because of the long year and the fact that I was tired," said Lilly. "I'm at the point in my life with my family and career where it was the right time. I never knew what the right time was going to feel like, but I finally got there."



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