The opportunities are endless for the growth of women’s football when the country embraces co-hosting the Fifa Women’s World Cup with Australia next month.
The USA football great knows that all too well, having played a key role in her country’s 1991 and 1999 World Cup wins.
"I tell you, after the 1999 World Cup when we hosted it, things changed in our country," Lilly said.
"That’s why I think it’s an opportunity for New Zealand and Australia to have this growth after the World Cup being here."
Lilly, the most capped international footballer with 354 games — Cristiano Ronaldo trails her by 154 caps as the top men’s player — and double Olympic champion, was in Dunedin at the weekend, as part of the World Cup trophy tour and joining in for some skills sessions with young footballers at the Kensington Oval.
Lilly (51), who played in five World Cups during her 23-year career before retiring in 2010, said Dunedin’s landscape was "beautiful" and she loved seeing the enthusiasm of the city’s footballers — lining up for trophy photos, autographs and to kick a ball around — knowing the impact the World Cup could have on them and the city.
"I mean, to have it right here in your backyard is unbelievable because I know it’s not a very big [city].
"The change that it does for the communities and the country ... is amazing and I think you’ll see a change in excitement from the young people.
"It’s going to bring people together. You’re going to see people from all over the world — they’re going to come through your city — so I think it’s a wonderful thing and something you’re very lucky to have."
The women’s game has been on the rise in recent years and the former midfielder was proud to have played a role in impacting its trajectory.
Women’s football was not popular when she was playing, but players fought to "break the barrier" to get more people involved.
She was proud to see sold-out crowds for the Pro League, in Spain, 80,000 people at Wembley to support England, and the World Cup expanding from 24 to 32 teams — only 12 competed at her first World Cup in 1991 — this year.
"The popularity of the game has just grown worldwide," Lilly said.
"I mean, in the United States, I think we’ve been rising, rising — right now the world’s kind of rising with it.
"And then to have an event like the World Cup here, and then these young kids see these players playing, they’re like ‘oh my gosh’.
"It just builds momentum and excitement around the game. Whether you’re young, older — more people want to play after being part of an event like this."
Lilly runs football academies back home and continues to be involved in the sport, and is promoting the World Cup to show young children the "feeling" that she got from the game.
"I want all these young kids, boys, girls, to experience that, because playing football, yeah, you’re about trying to win and win the trophies, but there’s more you get from it.
"It’s the team, and the confidence that you feel individually and the self-esteem that you feel great with, so that’s why I still love being a part of it and promoting it is because it’s such a big impact for these kids."
She believed the Football Ferns could advance from Group A but needed to secure points early to set them up.
Dunedin fans had a great opportunity to support them against Switzerland, on July 30, and see also catch a glimpse of former world champion Japan (July 26) and 2019 World Cup finalists the Netherlands (July 23 and August 1).
Her message was for Kiwi fans was simple — "‘just go get tickets".
"It’s going to be amazing.
"I think a lot of people are like ‘ah’, and then once you get the ticket, and then you sit there, and watch your first game, you’re going to be hooked.
"You’re going to watch more and more and going to want to come to more and more games.
"There’s just so many great opportunities to see some great football."
