A former soccer player and professional executive, Cynthia Parlow Cone has risen to the top of the soccer world. She is the President of the United States Soccer Federation. She was also a two time Olympic Gold medalist, and was the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup winner. 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 push for equal pay for women players. She will also continue to push for equal pay for female players.
USSF has a poor financial standing. Parlow Cone was forced to manage a flurry of lawsuits and financial hardships. However, her leadership has been able repair the organization'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 is still a president of US Soccer and has a lot to do.
Assistant coach at University of North Carolina
Cindy Parlow Cone used to be a player and now works as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina women’s hockey team. Parlow Cone was a college soccer player at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has extensive experience coaching women's soccer. Parlow Cone has been a USSF "A", License coach, as well as attending FIFA Futuro III classes.
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 part of the UNC women’s soccer Hall of Fame.
First female president of U.S. Soccer
Cone was elected president of US Soccer in March. As president, Cone has focused on improving diversity efforts, bringing commercial rights back in-house, and growing the sport in all forms. In her two years as president, she has helped reach significant goals, including a historic collective bargaining agreement with the US National Teams' unions and equal pay for men's and women's soccer players.
Cone is an Olympian three times and a former player on the senior U.S. National Team. Cone is also an inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. As President, she oversaw a major shift in the Federation's priorities. She has placed a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion as well as team building.
Portland Thorns FC Head Coach
Portland Thorns FC is the current NWSL champions. After a two-year break, Parlow has been back in the club's sights. The Thorns were ninth in the league last year, so the new coach will need to manage high expectations and limited resources. He or she will need to create a championship-winning team.
Cone spent four years as an assistant coach at North Carolina University before taking over the Portland Thorns FC job. Cone led the team to four NCAA championships. In 2013, Cone became the Thorns' head coach. In addition to being a successful coach, Cone served on the US national team's youth task force and Athletes' council. Cone was also inducted into this year's 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 Olympic Gold medalist was no stranger to concussions and sustained a second one at the 2003 World Cup. She suffered a recurring headache and later retired from the national team. Since then she has been a Soccer Coach in Chapel Hill North Carolina. She has spoken out about the experience and the importance for safety in soccer.
A group of concussion professionals and former professional athletes have joined the campaign. The goal is to minimize head-to–head collisions, which will help prevent concussions in young players. A Washington State study found that a banning of heading could protect up to 30 percent from injuries. This could reduce the number of concussions in youth soccer by around 100,000