Kristine Lilly

I actively cheer for five teams in major American sports: Chicago Cubs, New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Nebraska Cornhuskers (baseball, NFL, and college football). I like a few other teams, though it doesn't break my heart if they lose, like UNC basketball, the Colts, and whatever team Shaq is playing for.

So it surprises even me that when I sit down and really think about it, my favorite team of all is probably the United States Women's National Soccer Team. I LOVE this team and anybody who plays for it. Especially, of course, #1 on the Scotty Williams Big Board, ahead of Delia Gallagher, and ahead of Kronprinsessan Victoria of Sweden, the one they call Abby Wambach. I have spoken before on the guts and heart and passion and love that they play with, so I won't get into it here.

On Wednesday, January 18, Kristine Lilly will play in her 300th international match for the United States. The all-time leader on the men's side played in 173. Lilly made her debut in the same game as Mia Hamm, when she was 16 years old. Alas, Mia is retired and living the good life, and good for her. But Lilly carries on as the veteran leader of a team that will try to qualify for a major international competition for the first time without Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, or Julie Foudy.

I'm partial to her because she's left-footed. But her game is really superb. She is wonderful at taking on defenders with the ball at her feet. She gets down the sideline very quickly and can cross well. She can take the ball out of the air and put it on goal. But to me her best offensive skill is getting to the end line inside the box, drawing the defense, and sending the ball into the middle to an open teammate. She's murder in there. And like all American stars the past 15 years, she's a demon when she tracks back on defense to slow down an opposing run. A wonderful, wonderful player is Kristine Lilly.