A few hours ago I was listening to Jim Rome’s radio show whilst driving back home from a largely uneventful trip to the mall. Rome was discussing the tarnished image of embattled NFL quarterback Brett Favre and how his recent on-and-off field behavior had dinged his legacy. Rome extended his point to other athletes such as Willie Mays, Joe Namath and Shaquille O’Neal; vagabond players whose careers’ sell-by dates had long since elapsed and whose welcomes were more than worn out.

Incidentally enough, news of Kristine Lilly’s retirement from soccer was just beginning to make the rounds as Rome finished his point about such athletes. Talk about the perfect contrast.

Lilly embodied professionalism, class, persistence and humility. Lilly is a player whose sell-by date seemed eternal, whose presence was always more than welcome.

Beyond her intangible qualities, her C.V. is decorated with honors that are unparalled by any American soccer player, male or female. Her international caps record (352) will almost certainly stand untouched. By dint of such service to the United States Women’s National Team, Lilly’s name automatically belongs in the pantheon of greats in the sport of soccer.

Her achievements don’t end there. As of today, only Abby Wambach has a better goals-per-game ratio than Lilly of any active USWNT player. She has appeared in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, becoming the first woman to do so. She has lifted the World Cup twice. It was her last-gasp header in the Final of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup that essentially saved the United States from conceding victory to China in regular time. She lays claim to two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal. Ultimately, Lilly was timeless. She is both the youngest player to score for the USWNT at age 16 and the oldest at age 38.

Lilly was one of the few USWNT players who bridged the generation gap between the famed 99ers and the current regime. She was a heroine and a mentor for up and comers, including Alex Morgan who might be getting the #13 jersey sooner than she expected.

Kristine Lilly’s accomplishments may never be matched, even if she’ll never admit it. Fans of women’s soccer might feel obliged to do the honors for her.

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• Kristine Lilly Retires