Football Players and Caps

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Television commentators covering international football matches such as exhibitions, cup qualifiers and the World Cup itself may refer to the number of "caps" a soccer player has. This does not refer to an extensive collection of chapeaux, sailor hats and ball caps, nor do FIFA's Laws of the Game permit players to wear hats. You may be able to get a clue of the meaning of a football cap based on televised graphics that invariably note the pre-eminence of American women's soccer star Kristine Lilly in this achievement.
History
Rugby and football, or soccer, shared an overlapping history before a rules meeting held in a London tavern in 1863 split the sports into separate governing bodies with different rules on handling the ball. Rugby pioneered the wearing of finely detailed velvet caps with tassels during matches, a practice noted in the 1830s. The cap became a symbol of achievement adopted by England's rugby unions and others for international play. Soccer adopted the practice of awarding caps to players in international matches, such as for the first between England and Scotland in 1872.
Current Era
In the current era, caps became a term for an international appearance in soccer rather than the actual headwear presented for participating in such matches. A cap is counted for any international appearance: Olympic games, exhibitions, World Cup Adidas F50 AdiZero FG qualifiers and World Cup games. Players receive a cap whether they start or appear as a substitute.
Overall Leader
American midfielder Kristine Lilly notched a record 352 caps in a career spanning from 1985 to 2010. She played in parts of four decades and became both the youngest and oldest U.S. player to score international goals for the U.S. Nicknamed the "Queen of Caps," she snagged the record for caps in 1998 in her 152nd appearance, against Japan in Kobe. She also managed 130 international goals. U.S. women with more than 200 caps include Mia Hamm, 275; Julie Foudy, 272; Joy Fawcett, 239; Christie Rampone-Pearce, 228; Tiffeny Milbrett, 204; and Kate Markgraf-Sobrero, 201.
Men's Leaders
Mohammed Al Deayea of Saudi Arabia recorded 177 caps during a career spanning from 1990 to 2008. Claudio Saurez of Mexico also has 177 caps, amassed from 1992 to 2008. Among U.S. men, Cobi Jones leads with 164, the first in 1992 and the last in 2004. U.S. men with more than a "century" or 100 caps include Jeff Agoos with 134; Marcelo Balboa, 127; Landon Donovan, 115; Claudio Reyna, 111; Paul Caligiuri, 110; Eric Wynalda, 106; Kasey Keller with 101; and Tony Meola; Joe Max Moore and Earnie Stewart, 100. About the Author

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