Playing new position, Kristine Lilly remains the same.

(Thursday, May 21, 1998) -- American Kristine Lilly established world record by appearing in her 152d international match today and she did it with typical style, scoring the game-winner in the United States 2-0 victory over host Japan at Universiade Memorial Stadium in Kobe.

Her 57th career goal also came with her playing into a new position in her 148th career start. After spending virtually all of her first 150 games at left flank midfield, Lilly moved up to the front line to join Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett for this week's two victories over Japan.

"I've been playing Kristine as frontrunner and her and Mia together have a wonderful understanding and they work so hard," said U.S. coach Tony DiCicco of his veterans. "And bringing Tiffeny Millbrett into the mix, I think Kristine's running opens up space for both Tiffeny and Mia. We're going to see more of it. A lot of it depends on our ability to develop a world-class left flank midfielder and also the ability of (striker) Cindy Parlow to keep developing. For now, Kristine is doing so much for us as a frontrunner, getting more of the ball, and making Mia and Tiffeny more dangerous because her runs free them up. It's going to hard to replace Kristine on the left side, but for now we're going to let some players develop."

Lilly, who at 26 has played 10 years for the national team, downplayed the importance of establishing her longevity record. All that matters to her, she says, is contributing to U.S. victories. "I'm not even worried about (the new mark)," she said before boarding a plane for Japan "What I'm supposed to do is play soccer. Breaking a record is nice, but I'm just playing the game. It's not something I set out to do. You can see how it was with people interviewing Cal Ripken (about breaking Major League Baseball's consecutive games record). I don't think that was his goal. What he did every day was practice, go to his games and that's what I do. I just want to be healthy and ready to play and help the team."

Lilly has done more than simply help her team. She's been an inspirational leader and a clutch performer. While Hamm is considered by most the best female player anywhere, ask Hamm who should get that distinction and she doesn't hesitate. "Kristine Lilly" is her immediate, instinctive answer.

Anson Dorrance, who has led University of North Carolina to 15 national collegiate titles, had Lilly and Hamm together for three years, and coached the pair when the U.S. won the inaugural women's world championship in China in 1991. With Hamm and Lilly as teammates in 1989, 1990 and 1992, UNC went 69-1-2 and captured three NCAA crowns.

"Obviously, I've had the privilege of coaching some amazing women through my career, but the quality that sets Kristine apart from everyone is how relentless she was and I think that's the quality that carries her to this day," said Dorrance. "And to Mia Hamm's credit, whenever anyone starts asking her about what it feels like to be the best player in the world, she always cringes cause I think Mia in all her humility, thinks Kristine is. There's an example of the impact Kristine has on the minds of the greatest people she plays with. She's absolutely remarkable."

DiCicco knows there are times when Hamm is unstoppable and her offensive abilities are unmatched, but he won't argue with those who say Lilly is the best player in the world. "The way Kristine plays day in, day out, her consistency, she should not feel awkward with that tag," he said. "She's finally getting some of the recognition of what everybody's always known: she's so vital to our success. She's our most consistent player. There's no one even close to her level of consistency. She's a big-game player. She can do everything on the field: defend, win balls, score goals, create goals, take on, she's a team leader. It goes on and on. She's one of the best players in the world without a doubt."

"She takes more responsibility that anyone on the field. She's tactically so fast. Her transition from offense to defense is the best on the team without a question. Once the ball turns over, she's already making a run to get into the attack. A lot of times it's faster than we are technically able to get the ball to her."

Lilly is hardly satisfied with the 1991 world championship and 1996 Summer Olympics' gold medal. She looks with excitement toward next year's Women's World Cup, the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia and the establishment of a top-level professional league in the U.S.

"Nineteen ninety-nine is going to be amazing," said the resident of Wilton, Conn. "It's going to be a moment in history that no one's going to want to miss. The way it's being developed, the word is out. We have a busy schedule. The excitement's there to see the U.S. women play. This is going to be our biggest event.. The (United States Soccer) Federation wants to put on the biggest show ever and I think they will. Things like this can only happen in the U.S. We can't wait for it, playing home fields all over the U.S. and that's what we love the best."

Lilly refuses to think about world competitions beyond 2000, though she has no plans to stop playing nay time soon.. "I'd love to play in a league in the States," she said. "That would be a perfect way to gradually retire."