Cynthia Parlow Cone is an ex-soccer player and former professional executive. She is the president of the United States Soccer Federation. She was also a twotime Olympic Gold medalist as well as the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup champ. Her achievements include her being named the United States Soccer Federation's first female president.
President of U.S. Soccer
The U.S. Soccer Federation has re-elected Cindy Parlow Cone to another four-year term as president. Her main areas of focus will be on the collective bargaining process, and a report by former Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates about allegations of abuse in women’s soccer. She will also push for equal compensation for female players. She will continue to work for equal pay for women players and she will be working hard to build the game in all its forms.
USSF is in a difficult financial position. Parlow cone has had to cope with a flood of lawsuits. Parlow Cone's recent equal pay agreement has restored confidence in US Soccer and enabled the organization to present a stronger front to commercial sponsors. Cone, however, has much work ahead of herself as president of US Soccer.
Assistant coach at University of North Carolina
Cindy Parlow Cone, who was a player in college soccer, now serves as assistant coach for the University of North Carolina women’s football team. Parlow cone played college soccer for the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is a coach with a wealth of experience in women's football. Parlow Cone has been a USSF "A", License coach, as well as attending FIFA Futuro III classes.
During her playing days, Parlow Cone was a four-time All-American who helped the Tar Heels to three national titles and four ACC regular-season titles. Parlow Cone won two Hermann Trophies (the highest honor in women's soccer collegiate soccer). She is also a member of the UNC women's soccer hall of fame.
First female president of U.S. Soccer
Cone has been president of US Soccer since March, when she was elected to the position by the Athletes Council. Cone's focus as president has been to improve diversity, bring back commercial rights in-house and grow the sport in every form. She was president for two years, helping to achieve important goals such as a historic agreement with the US National Teams unions on collective bargaining and equal pay for soccer players of both genders.
Cone is a three times Olympian and was formerly a member of the senior U.S. National Team. Cone is also inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. As the Federation's president, she oversees a major shift of priorities. She has placed a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion as well as team building.
Portland Thorns FC Head Coach
Portland Thorns FC are the defending NWSL champions. After a two-year break, Parlow has been back in the club's sights. The Thorns finished 9th in the league last season. However, the new head coach will have high expectations and limited funds. He or her must build a champion team.
Cone was previously an assistant coach for four years at the University of North Carolina before joining the Portland Thorns FC. Cone was the coach of the team, which won four NCAA championships. Then, as head coach of the Thorns, she won the NWSL championship in 2013. Cone, in addition to being a great coach, was also a member of the US national team's youth taskforce and Athletes' board. In addition, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame this year.
Face of the "Safer Soccer Initiative"
Parlow cone, a former soccer player, is now the face behind a campaign to make football safer for kids. Parlow Cone, a former Olympic Gold medalist, is not new to concussions. She suffered another one during the 2003 World Cup. She suffered a recurring headache and later retired from the national team. She has been a coach of soccer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for the past ten years and has spoken about her experience and the importance to safety in the sport.
A group of concussion professionals and former professional athletes have joined the campaign. The goal of this campaign is to reduce head to head collisions in order to prevent concussions from young soccer players. A Washington State study found that a banning of heading could protect up to 30 percent from injuries. This could result in an estimated 100,000 fewer concussions in youth soccer.