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A celebration in Portland
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 other week on CNNSI.com.
May 8, 2000
Well, where should I start? There has been a lot happening since my last entry to all of you. I sit here in my bed in the apartment with Julie and Carla that we are living in for a short time. We just got back from Portland and we won the U.S. Nike cup. We beat Canada in the final 4-0. It was a good two games for the U.S. Our coaches were happy with the Outcomes, but more so with the way we played. And we as players were happy too. It feels good when you are on the field and things are clicking and we are making things happen. Actually our game on Friday vs. Mexico was awesome. We were doing things that we have been practicing for the last two weeks here in Chula Vista, so it was exciting for us and it felt great on the field. We still have a lot to work on, but it feels good when you feel the progress and start to do the things that we have been working on. So like I said we were up in Portland. We were there all week, and the weather wasn't all that bad. It rained in the beginning and then for our games it actually turned out great. Especially on Sunday. Sunday was an even more special for me, because it was the 200th game that I have played for the national team. It is hard for me to believe that I have played that many days, and it feels good to know that I have made the impact I have and remain on this team and on the field. My teammates before the game presented me with some flowers and gave me a beautiful bracelet. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Then before the game, U.S. Soccer presented me with a necklace with a carat diamond with to C's for century. It just was an amazing day for me. My sponsor adidas made a special pair of shoes that were gold and had my name and 200 on the shoes. They were awesome, and everyone loved them. Plus to top it off I flew my parents in for the weekend so it was nice to accomplish my 200th game with them there. I only wish my brother could have made it but he informed me that he watched it. So over all Sunday was a day that I will cherish and appreciate forever. Okay, what else can I tell you. Since my last entry we have been training in San Diego area. We had two weeks of training of two a days and meeting and what not. It felt like preseason all over again. It was a good two weeks, and it has paid off with the way we played this past weekend. We also had lifting three times a week, so some days we had three training sessions. Since we have a lot of new players and young ones, our coach set us up with lifting partners. Mine is Sarah Randolph. She is a great girl sweet and very quick. She has been doing a good job and has been a lot of fun too lift with. I think it has been good to have younger partners to help them out and to get to know them better. We have had some days off as well. I actually met a great friend of mine Jodi at Disneyland. She was there with Jon her boyfriend and friends. It was a fun filled day. My favorite ride was Indiana Jones ride. Pretty cool. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was very little, so it was fun to be a kid again. I didn't get to see Mickey though. Oh well, maybe next time. We had some birthdays on the team in the past couple weeks.... Our administrator Dana, Sara Whalen, Cindy Parlow, and Tuesday is Carla Overbeck's. It is exciting because we always have some kind of desserts. We also had a barbecue with our team, in which Carla made some good burgers. YUMMY! Mia and I played golf together one afternoon, and I actually did okay. I was happy with my 48, we only played nine holes. I think I could have definitely use some lessons. I think I'll try and pick some stuff from Mia because she is pretty darn good. Over all things have been going well with the team. We have a busy schedule coming up. A trip to Australia at the end of May for about 3 weeks, and then the Gold Cup in the U. S., and then a trip to Norway and Germany in July. So we are going to be pretty busy and on the road quite a bit. Then before you know it we will be heading to Sydney for the Olympics. I have to admit there are some rough days when you don't feel like getting out of bed because you're to sore or just plain tired. Fortunately, we have each other to get through days like that and help put a smile on each others faces. Being away from loved ones, is also hard but we do the best we can to enjoy our time and be there for each other. One thing that makes a difference -- I think in people's lives is to
let people know how much you do appreciate them and care. When my
teammates gave me flowers and said some nice things to me before my
200th game it felt so good. It actually brought some tears to my eyes.
It is nice to know how people feel, and it does make you feel good
inside. I think what happens in life is we miss the chances or put off
the chances to let people know that we care or just let them know that
someone was thinking about them. I know for a fact that it put a big
smile on my face when my teammates honored me for my 200 caps and gave
me hugs to show there appreciation. So to my teammates out there, thank
you for sharing in my 200th game and thank you for making me feel
special that day. To everyone else take a moment to let someone or many people know how you feel or just to let someone know they are loved. It will make a bigger impact then you think. Until next time. SMILE.
-- Kristine P.S. Happy Cinco De Mayo
Join Kristine Lilly in supporting the March of Dimes.
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