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New faces, familiar faces on the field
Kristine Lilly is the all-time appearance leader and third all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Women's National Team. The midfielder from Wilton, Conn., was a member of the U.S. teams that won the 1999 World Cup and 1996 Olympic Games. Lilly also played on four national championship teams at the University of North Carolina. Lilly is training for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Check out Lilly's diary every month on CNNSI.com.
February 16, 2000
Happy belated Valentine's Day! Well, where should I start? I just got back from the Espy Awards in Las Vegas. They were a blast. My team won team of the year, and about 10 of us were out there to be a part of it. I got to bring a guest with me, and I brought my brother, who is a sports nut. Basically he was on cloud nine all weekend and got his picture taken with people from Dan Patrick to Nomar Garciaparra. He was really cute and all weekend he was a like a kid in a candy store. I had fun as well, and I was the photographer for my brother. When we got to the place where the awards were taking place, we got out of the limos and had a red carpet to walk down. It was similar to what you see for the Academy Awards or Grammy's. There were cameras and lights everywhere -- it was pretty crazy for someone who has never been a part of something like that. The show itself was entertaining and great. My teammate Mia, I think you all know her, won female athlete of the year. Over all it was an amazing night. Prior to that night, Mia had a fundraiser game in Milwaukee for her brother Garrett, who died three years ago. The game that the U.S. Women's team plays against college all-stars was an indoor game that raised money for bone marrow transplants and research. It was an amazing night. We had over 16,000 people watching and raising money to help those who need bone marrow transplants. They raised a lot of money, and it is amazing what can happen when people help one another. Before the game started they had a small boy whom received a bone marrow transplant from this lady, and they had them meet for the first time that night. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. She basically gave the gift of life to this young boy and that is the best gift possible. So make the time to register for bone marrow transplants or any other diseases that need your support. February started our first training camp of the year. There were a lot of changes at this first camp. We had a new coach, April Heinrichs. We had a lot of new faces. We had a lot of new drills, warm-ups, rules and atmosphere. However, with all the changes brought excitement and a very competitive atmosphere. Basically we are all fighting to make this Olympic team. There are no guarantees and no easy way to be on this team. We played Norway twice and lost both games. The first game we lost 3-2 and then the second we lost 2-1. It stinks to lose, and I hate to lose, but with every loss there is a lesson. We had about 35 people in camp, so we had different lineups for both games. We had players that have been playing for 12 year on the field and some that received their first cap. A cap is an international game. So basically April got to see players play and evaluate them for the next camp which is March 1. Being back on the field after so long was great. I was excited to play and excited to see all my friends as well. Tish and I hung out all week basically and had a lot of fun. It was good to see Joy and Carla's kids. They travel with us, and they all are getting so big. It was also good to see some new faces, young faces. It reminded me when I was first on the team. I made the team when I was 16, and I think we had one 16-year-old and a couple 17, 18, and 19-year-olds. Over all the week went well except for the losses. Before I end I want to touch on some questions I received after my first diary entry.
Some people wrote in and asked about a women's professional league. Well to be honest with you, there is a league in the making out there. There are people working on one to get started hopefully next spring. Basically since the World Cup was so successful this summer and brought women's soccer to a new level there is definitely a need and desire for a league. Having a league is what we need in the U.S. to help the game grow and give us an opportunity for us to play soccer and for all you fans to watch soccer. If a league gets started we are going to need you fans out there to continue to support soccer and us and buy tickets and become local fans. Keep your fingers crossed and support in anyway possible. About games and tournaments with the national team -- we do have games coming up and they will be on TV (usually ESPN OR ESPN2). If you write to U.S. soccer or go to the website for U.S. soccer they may have some information on there. In April 8 we have a game on TV, but I'm just not sure the time. So keep that in mind. Someone asked me who inspires me? Well basically my brother was my inspiration growing up. I wanted to do everything he did. Now my teammates are my inspiration. We make each other better and work hard so we get better. It takes a huge commitment and dedication to play on this team and seeing others work hard and be competitive is what makes this team great. Last question someone asked me is; when you have a bad day what do you do to make it better? We all have a bad day that is for sure. Just recently at camp, my first day of practice was a bad day. All we did was just play small-sided games and my team won one game. One game out of seven. I was bummed and down. I felt drained after practice, and when I left the field and got back to my room I let it go the best I could. I knew there was another practice and that it couldn't get any worse than that. Plus, I vented a bit about the practice with my friends and end up at the end laughing about it and realizing it's not so bad. So the next practice I had a new attitude and knew I could do better. The next practice I only lost one game and won the rest. So basically we all have bad days and we all feel lousy, but the difference in making things better is to not dwell on the bad or put blame on anyone. Take responsibility for yourself and make a difference the next time out there. That is what makes great players from good players, the ability to make a bad situation a good one. Until next time, do what you can to help others and find ways to give the gift of life. Whether it is going to a blood drive, registering for bone marrow, or helping someone in the smallest way it all matters and is necessary. Thanks for reading and I'll be back in a month. -- Kristine
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