Chapter Nineteen: The 1996 Olympics w/ Kristine Lilly

The Olympics has played a critical role in the evolution of soccer in America. Strong attendance during the 1984 games, hosted in Los Angeles with soccer matches played across the country, was a key factor in FIFA's decision to award the 94 World Cup to the United States. But women's soccer had not been part of the Olympics historically. That changed in 1996, which was also hosted in the US, this time in Atlanta. With one World Cup win to its name, the USWNT saw an opportunity to showcase its excellence on a stage that American sports fans truly understood and embraced -- the Olympics. A legendary group of female athletes dominated headlines at those games, and the USWNT was at the top of the list, marching to the Gold medal and thrusting the team into the consciousness of the sports consuming public.

Kristine Lilly played a vital role in the USWNT 1996 Gold Medal run. In total, she in played in five World Cups (winning two) and three Olympic Games (also winning two) and was the most capped player in the history of women’s soccer with 352 full internationals for the United States between 1987 and 2010. Lilly joined Founding Futbol to talk about her storied career, and why the 96 Olympics was a critical step in the emergence of the USWNT and the continued ascension of soccer in America.

Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.

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Host: Kent Malmros

Guest: Kristine Lilly (Former USWNT Player)

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