Cynthia Parlow Cone, a former soccer player turned professional executive, has made it to the top in the soccer world. She is also the president for the United States Soccer Federation. She was also a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup champion. Her accomplishments include being elected the first female president for the United States Soccer Federation.
President of U.S. Soccer
Cindy Parlow Cone has been reelected to a fourth-year term as President of the U.S. Soccer Federation. 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 continue to fight for equal pay and fair treatment for female players. She will also be focusing on the development of the game in all its forms.
USSF's financial situation is difficult. Parlow cone has had the challenge of dealing with a multitude of lawsuits, financial hardships, and her leadership has been capable to restore USSF's finances. Her recent equal pay deal has also restored public confidence in US Soccer and allowed the organization to present a more united front to commercial partners. Cone, however, has much work ahead of herself as president of US Soccer.
Assistant coach at University of North Carolina
Cindy Parlow Cone was a former player and is currently the assistant coach of University of North Carolina's women's soccer teams. Parlow Cone was a college soccer player at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has extensive experience coaching women's soccer. She is also a USSF "A” License coach and has completed FIFA Futuro III courses.
Parlow cone was a four-time All-American during Parlow Cone's playing career, helping the Tar Heels to win three national titles and four ACC regular-season title. She was also awarded two Hermann Trophies. This is the top award in women’s collegiate soccer. She is also a member in the UNC women’s soccer hall of Fame.
First female president in the U.S. Soccer
Cone has been US Soccer president since March, when the Athletes Board elected her to the position. 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 time Olympian and a former member of the senior U.S. National Team. Cone is also a National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee. As the Federation's president, she oversees a major shift of priorities. She has put greater emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and team building.
Portland Thorns FC is the NWSL champion.
Portland Thorns FC is the current 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 she will need to create a championship-winning team.
Before taking the Portland Thorns FC job, Cone was an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina for four years. Cone was the head coach of four NCAA championships. As the Thorns' coach, Cone won four NCAA championships. In 2013, she was named the NWSL champion. Cone, in addition to being a great coach, was also a member of the US national team's youth taskforce and Athletes' board. Cone was also elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Face of Safer Soccer initiative
Parlow cone, a former soccer player, is now the face behind a campaign to make football safer for kids. The former Olympic Gold medalist is no stranger to concussions, and suffered a second concussion during the 2003 World Cup. She developed a headache that recurred and was forced to quit the national team. She has been a soccer coach for Chapel Hill, North Carolina since then and has spoken out about her experiences and the importance safety in the game.
Concussion experts and ex-professional players have joined the campaign. The goal is to limit head-to-head collisions to prevent concussions in young soccer players. A Washington State study showed that a head ban could prevent as much as 30% of injuries in junior high girls. This could prevent an estimated 100,000 concussions from youth soccer.