Carli Lloyd’s Historic Career
USWNT legend Carli Lloyd has officially announced she is hanging up her boots. She’ll go down in history as one of the greatest players on the USWNT and ever to play the game. Her impact on the women’s game is unmatched, as the second-most capped player in world soccer history with 312 caps, 128 international goals, and 17 years of representing the red, white and blue.
Lloyd will end her historic career at the age of 39, where she will finish her professional career in the NWSL with NJ/NY Gotham FC. As her career comes to an end, here’s a look at some of her best moments over the years.
Starting on the USWNT
In 2005, Carli Lloyd first started with the USWNT in her early 20’s. Her goal when she headed into her first camp was to help the team with championships. She stepped onto the pitch and played like it was her last, which made her so notable as a player.
Regardless of how many minutes she received, she put in the work to set her above her teammates and competition. Lloyd achieved her goals. 312 caps later, a winning percentage of 88%, and appearing for the USA in three different decades, no one can compare.
A Hat Trick in the World Cup Final
It isn’t easy to pick some of Lloyd’s best moments since something amazing happens every time she steps on the field. However, one standout moment of her career is her performance in the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
The USWNT made it to the final of the World Cup against Japan. Carli Lloyd wasted no time as she scored within the first minute. Then, again in the third minute and then left the world speechless after ripping a shot from midfield where she chipped the Japanese keeper to secure a hat trick. It was the first hat trick in the World Cup finals ever. With her shooting clinic of a performance, she received the Golden Ball and FIFA’s Player of the Year.
Becoming a Four-Time Olympian
Appearing in four Olympic Games is an incredible achievement in and of itself. But scoring in all three Olympic medal games is something extraordinary. Lloyd scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal matches at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. She tallies 10 goals in the 22 Olympic matches she has appeared in.
Lloyd scored two goals on the Olympic stage in the bronze medal game in the most recent games to help the U.S. place third. Not only did she make her mark in her final Olympic Games, but the most iconic photo from the women’s tournament of Lloyd doing sprints after the USWNT lost to Canada in the semi-finals is the epitome of a picture that speaks a thousand words.
Being a Voice for Equal Pay
Alongside Carli Lloyd’s phenomenal career on the field, her legacy off the field will impact the future of women’s soccer. While trying to do her job and play the game she loves, she also stood against the fight for equal pay. Carli Lloyd understands the platform she holds, and she has been a voice of the USWNT to achieve equal pay. Despite any backlash to her activism, she continues to speak her mind.
Carli Lloyd is one of the best to play the game. Not seeing her on the USWNT will be an adjustment, but she has given it her all and will walk away from her career an absolute legend. Lloyd will play two more months with the USWNT in a few fall-friendly matches, and she will conclude her NWSL career with Gotham FC. It is definitely not the last of Carli Lloyd as maybe she will make a return as a coach one day. Her number 10 will continue to inspire every future young soccer player.
Featured image via @NWSL on Twitter
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