CHICAGO (July 28, 2006) - Former U.S. forward Cindy Parlow has officially announced her retirement from the international game. The two-time winner of the Hermann Trophy and M.A.C. Player of the Year awards, she was hounded by back and head injuries towards the end of her international career. The 5-foot-11 Parlow steps away from the game with 158 matches played for the USA, and 75 career goals, good for fifth all-time. She was also the youngest ever player to earn her 100th cap, reaching that milestone on July 23, 2001, at 23 years, 56 days. At 18, Parlow was the youngest-ever Olympic gold medallist for the USA (and won two golds, in 1996 and 2004) as well as the youngest-ever Women’s World Cup champion (1999). She is currently second on the all-time career hat trick list with eight (behind only Hamm), and scored several huge goals for the USA during her career, none bigger than in the opening minutes of the semifinal victory vs. Brazil at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. No doubt the finest player ever out of the state of Tennessee, she has a street named after her at the soccer complex in her hometown. Parlow was the U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year in 1998, and also represented the USA at various youth levels during her teenage years. She retires at age 28 as one of the greatest goal scorers in U.S. history behind only Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers and Tiffeny Milbrett on the all-time chart. She played her last match for the USA on Dec. 8, 2004, against Mexico at The Home Depot Center in what was also the final game for Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Julie Foudy.
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