Female Star Kristine Lilly on Fitness
For me fitness has always been my backbone. I always made sure that was something that I was, no matter where I was.
— Kristine Lilly, Boston Breaker
Training camp is about soccer, but at the top levels of the game, no one can play soccer well enough without pristine fitness. While players young and old around WPS were given the dreaded news that their services would not be needed in 2010, one of the fittest ever to play the game soldiered through another training camp, and another call-in to the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Yes, Kristine Lilly is still going. She gave birth to a daughter in 2008, and she long ago seized the record as the most capped international player of either gender, but at 38, Lilly remains the fittest player on the Breakers and during a recent interview, that extra little tinge of excitement came over her voice when discussing her latest call-up.
“I got the call from Pia (Sundhage, National Team coach) and I was surprised because after some time goes on, you don’t really think about it as much as right away when you don’t get called in,” Lilly said. Then her enthusiasm began to show as she added, “But I was excited and I’m excited to go in and to play with the players again and hopefully make the roster. But it opened up a door for me and that’s exciting.”
For the short term, Lilly would like to be on the roster when the U.S. plays Mexico March 28 and 31. Longer term, she would like to go to Germany next year to play in her fifth World Cup. Wherever she goes though, Kristine Lilly will be fit to play the game she loves.
“For me fitness has always been my backbone. I always made sure that was something that I was, no matter where I was,” she said. I really got healthy and really had a good off-season where I developed slowly. It was a gradual process of staying in shape and right now I feel really, really good.”
This from one of only four field players to be on the pitch for every minute of the 2009 WPS season.
“I was coming off pregnancy the first season so I wouldn’t say I was totally 100%, but for the most part I was pretty good,” Lilly said.
Tony DiCicco coached Lilly when she was made a World Cup saving clearance off the goal line 11 years ago, and he coaches her now at the Breakers.
“Lil is Lil. She’s a pretty amazing athlete,” DiCicco said. “She did the best in the fitness—again. I think it’s just the way she’s always been. She’s always really kept herself fit. Even after giving a child she was our most fit player last year.”
“Her fitness levels are top of the group,” Red Stars coach Emma Hayes said. “She has a great attitude and she’s been focusing on getting her rhythm.”
March 21st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I think what that means is she runs alot and she is very fit.
March 20th, 2010 at 10:47 am
That is kinda sad that she was the most fit player even after her pregnancy.(I mean sad for the other players For her it’s great!!) And she is 38 so i mean that is really really good. Fitness is always important.
March 19th, 2010 at 7:10 am
when she says “fitnes is her backbone” does she mean that she works a little harder on that specific part because it i sinjured ot takes longer to heal?