Lilly Caps Tournament in Style

When she stepped onto the Civic Stadium field in Portland, Ore., Sunday morning, Kristine Lilly became the first player in soccer history, male or female, to play 200 matches for her country.

The fact that the United States defeated Canada, 4-0, to win its seventh consecutive U.S. Women’s Cup tournament only made the occasion more special for the 28-year-old midfielder from Wilton, Conn.

She was presented with a bracelet by her teammates, a pair of red and gold boots that she wore in the game, and a necklace from U.S. Soccer.

“It’s really been a special day,” said Lilly, who made her national team debut in 1987 at age 16. “Tomorrow will just be another day, but this was a great day, very special to me.”

The U.S. scored its first goal in the first minute of the second half when Julie Foudy headed a cross from Shannon MacMillan for her 34th international goal.

A cross from Lilly on the left was headed in by Cindy Parlow in the 75th minute to make the score 2-0. Five minutes later, Parlow banged another header off the crossbar and Tiffeny Milbrett scored off the rebound.

Christie Welsh scored the fourth goal in the 85th minute, lobbing the ball perfectly from 18 yards.

The victory improved the U.S. team’s record to 20-0-0 in the tournament.

Mexico defeated South Korea, 4-1, in the third-place game.