Top 5 takeaways from speaker Kristine Lilly, US World Cup Champion

Kristine Lilly spoke this past weekend during the Coaches Virtual Summit about her experience, her knowledge, and what it takes for parents, coaches, and youth to continue to play and advance the game. Here are our top 5 takeaways from her talk.

Kristine Lilly

Kristine played midfielder for the United States Women’s Soccer Team for over 23 years. She was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012 and the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. Before that, she won four national championships at The University of North Carolina.

1. Beat players 1v1 and develop this foundational skill. "I knew who had the heart to be out there and those are the players that made it. The heart to be there when things were rough and to help others."

2. Be a motivational leader on the field like Carla Overbeck. "Kristine we need you!"

3. Play against people that are better than you, and control what you can control. Occasionally play against people that are better/older so you can grow into that level, but its not good to always play up because you’ll get discourage and not develop your skills. "Your fitness is the one thing you can control and it takes effort. 1 week of not exercising begins the decline in your shape, add variety to your training. Stay in shape in the off season, never drop below 50%."

4. We need women, moms, girls to coach. "If you can see it, you can be it."

5. Doesn't matter what club or college you play at if you want to play professional soccer. "Rose Lavelle, came from a college not well known for soccer- University of Wisconsin- Madison, and made the National Team. What matters is taking control of what you can control, your game. Go where you're happy and where you can work."

Read more about Kristine on her website here, or get a copy of her new book, Powerhouse.