Former soccer star rooting for USA

BOCA RATON, FLA - Kristy Hartofilis is a former professional athlete. She was a third round draft pick for the New York "Power" in the inaugural season of the WUSA.

"Now, ten years later, I really reminisce on what a special time that was, to have young soccer fans ask you for your autograph," said Hartofilis.

Today, Hartofilis's games take place on a smaller, scale, and against smaller players, her kids, making her a real-life "soccer mom." However, just because she won't be taking the field with her team, her love for "The Greatest Game", is still strong.

"Just to have that experience of playing professionally, doing something that you absolutely love to do anyway. Being able to make a living at it. It was a pretty incredible time," said Hartofilis.

When the match between the US and Japan kicks off Sunday, Hartofilis will be watching from her living room, surrounded by her new team, her husband, and two daughters. She says she wouldn't have it any other way. "The amount of training that they do, is pretty intense. While that was a part of my life, now I enjoy sitting back and watching them on TV," said Hartofilis.

Hartofilis has high hopes for her former teammates, and her sport. "After the 1999 World Cup, there was such a surge of interest in women's soccer, that it propelled our league. There's a women's professional league today. It's had it's trials and tribulations to grow like it wants to grow, but this is going to really set a benchmark for them," said Hartofilis.