Following the sudden resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Friday that former UNC standout Cindy Parlow Cone will take over as the new president of the organization–the first female to ever be in charge of the organization.

Parlow Cone will serve as the president until the 2021 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting next February in Atlanta. At that time, an election will be held for a president to finish out Cordeiro’s original term–which was to run into 2022.

“I want to thank Carlos for his many years of hard work and dedication on behalf of U.S. Soccer,” Parlow Cone said. “He is a good man with a good heart and his significant work to help bring the 2026 World Cup to the United States will have a positive impact for generations. The passion that has come to the surface in the past two days is what inspires me to look forward, to work hard towards mending relationships and moving the game forward for all.”

While at UNC as a player, Parlow Cone was a four-time All-American and won three national championships. She would go on to win Olympic Gold in 1996 and 2004 as part of the U.S. National Team, as well as the 1999 FIFA World Cup.

Parlow Cone would also become the first head coach to win a NWSL championship, guiding the Portland Thorns to the league’s inaugural title in 2013.

She was elected as Vice President of U.S. Soccer in February of 2019 at the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting.

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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