Conversation with World Cup star Cindy Parlow

Cindy Parlow is a three-time Olympian and two-time World Cup participant for the US Women's National Soccer Team. We had a chance to sit down with her and get her thoughts on the World Cup, youth soccer, and what it takes to compete at the international level.

Let's get the really tough question out of the way. What's it like to have a street named after you?

It was a really great honor. They named the street after me right after the 1999 World Cup. It was right here in my hometown of Memphis and my entire family was able to be there.

You're from Memphis originally...what's the soccer scene down there like?

It's really picking up. Soccer Memphis has really grown since I came through. When I was coming up there was only really my club and now there's tons of different clubs with boys and girls playing a ton of soccer.

How did you first get involved in soccer?

I first got involved because I have three brothers. Like most siblings you want to do what the older siblings do. Luckily one of the things they were doing was soccer.

You're a three- time Olympian and a two time World Cup participant. What's it like playing on such a large stage?

It's a blast. Just to be able to represent your country. It's a pretty amazing opportunity to stand out there on the field and to listen to your national anthem.

What special skills or intangibles does it take to be a World Cup athlete?

You have to have a very competitive drive. Obviously you've got to have the soccer skills. A lot of people have the talent but there's a certain level of competitiveness and a mentality to compete day in and day out that separates the players that make it and the players that don't.

What made that 1999 World Cup team so special?

There were so many different aspects. The personalities on the team made up such a special group.

To have the World Cup in our hometown. To be able to win the World Cup in front of 93 thousand in the rose bowl--there's not much to compare that experience to. We had everybody watching us on TV. All kinds of fans, not just soccer fans, remember that game.

I can't tell you how many people ask if I was the girl who took off her shirt after the game. And I say, "No...but thanks for watching!"

What kinds of special pressures or stresses can the US Soccer Men's team expect to encounter as they prepare for the world cup in Germany?

Everything from what you are going to be able to drink and eat to the pressures of staying healthy. Staying fit. Training enough but not training too much so that you get tried.

Eating in a foreign country is tough because you need to eat the right thing but it's not always easy to find something you like. And when you're staying in a hotel you're often eating the same food every day. You get bored with the food.

Then there's the pressure of actually winning. There's a lot of pressure and stresses and that normal ordinary citizens don't' think about it.

What do you think US Men's National Team's chances at the Cup?

I think they have a good chance. They're a great team. These games right now-- I don't think we're going to see the best team. They'll taper into these games and train right through them so that they are well-rested for the cup.

But they're very talented. I'm hoping for the best. I'll be glued to my TV like I hope everyone else is in the country.

How did you get involved with The LLS (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)?

Well I first got involved when they contacted me to do a clinic with one of the winners of the Soccer Kicks for Cancer program. Since then I've been emailing them to see what else I can do. It's one of the best experiences I've ever had because it's a win-win situation for kids and The LLS.

Any advice for our younger soccer players who'd like to someday play in college--and possibly beyond?

Just keep playing soccer if it's what you like to do. The rest will take care of itself.

As a San Diego Spirit fan I need to ask this... do you think there's a chance of the WUSA--or something like it--coming back?

We're working on it. We're trying to get the league to come back in the very near future.

Soccer kicks for cancer

(Rick Geswell is Executive Vice President of Revenue & Marketing for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We sat down recently with him to learn more about Soccer Kicks for Cancer--a fascinating program designed to help kids improve their soccer abilities all while helping raise money for a great cause).

Tell us a little bit about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societ's Soccer Kicks for Cancer Program?

It’s a fundraising and awareness program developed with three goals in mind. 1) To raise funds for patient care and research to find cures and treatments 2) Develop character in young people who play soccer while nurturing social responsibility and 3) Develop some level of soccer skills for those who participate.

How do kids/teams get involved?

Any coach or club can sign their team up by going online to www.soccerkicksforcancer.org. Everything they need to know is on that Web site. Once they register they will receive all the info they need to guide their team through the program.

How does the program work? How long does the program last?

Players raise money by getting pledges for each ‘touch’ of the ball over a specific 10-day period—with 2,000 touches being the goal.

But there are a lot of variations on the theme. Those touches can be done in warm-ups, practices and games—as well as time spent practicing at home. Another variation is to have an entire club work toward reaching the 2,000 touch goal together. This is a great way for coaches to preach the importance of dedication to a goal.

In the packet each coach receives is a DVD specially developed by nationally licensed coaches, containing training tips and instructions to help improve its performance.
Each participant also receives a ‘live strong’ wristband indicating their participation in the program.

How much has the program raised to this point?

The program is in its second year and so far we’ve raised a total of over $800k.

That’s great. What does the money raised go toward?

The money that’s raised goes to fund our research programs, our patient aid program, and all of our patient services.

The research program, as detailed before, helps us in our quest to find cures and provide effective patient treatment.

The patient aid program provides financial support for patients who need it. On a national level we provide about five million dollars a year.

Patient services includes things like providing information to patients and caregivers by phone, by mail, online and in person at our 66 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, funding support groups for cancer patients and our ‘First Connection’ program which matches new patients with mentors that have been through the same experience.

What inspired the Society to use soccer as a vehicle for fundraising?

Actually it was a guy named Todd Smith, former soccer player for the New England Revolution, that got it all started. Todd left the team to undergo treatment for leukemia and came to us saying he wanted to volunteer. I said I had an idea about reaching youth soccer and he said it’d be great way to give back.

Unfortunately Todd Smith lost his battle with leukemia before he ever saw one dollar raised from the program. But it was Todd’s brainstorm…and now it is Todd’s legacy.

(You can check out the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Soceity’s Web site(LLS.org) for more information on the society. Find out more about Soccer Kicks for Cancer at soccerkicksforcancer.org.)

Wish the US Team Good Luck

Want to show your support for the US National Soccer team--and raise money for a good cause as well? Rock station DC101 has a 'Good Luck Card Campaign’ by which you can be included in a card that will be presented to the team before they leave for Germany.

For a $25.00 donation you can get your name on the card and for $50.00 you can add a message (no more than 60 characters). Best of all proceeds go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society--national charity of the US National Soccer Team Players Association.

Log on and submit your online donation today!