At the age of 39, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, four-time Olympian, and two-time Fifa Women’s World Cup Champion, Carli Lloyd has retired from the game of soccer. Lloyd, announced earlier this year that this season with NJ/NY Gotham FC in the Nation Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) would be her last and the end to her illustrious career.
Most notably known for her aggressive style of play and obvious love for the game of soccer, Lloyd also proudly represented team USA in several Olympic games and World Cup Championships on the US National Team.
Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe led the USWNT to a recent bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Without Llyod, the NWSL and U.S. The Nationals Team would never be the same.
As a professional women’s soccer player, Lloyd experienced many setbacks and hurdles. However, she has always been a champion for women’s rights and a fighter against the unfair pay gap that currently exists between men’s and women’s professional soccer players.
Her brilliance on and off the field has captured the hearts of so many, and athletes around the world are extremely sad to see her go (Videos below).
(Tribute from USWNT, Courtesy of Twitter)
(Tribute from Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady)
Lloyd retires as leader, teammate, champion and friend. She is listed third in USWNT history with 134 goals and second in world soccer history with 315 played matches. Her final professional game as a member of the US Women’s National Team proudly ended with a 6-0 win over South Korea on Tuesday, October 26.
Lloyd also received standing ovations from all members of the crowd, as she leaves behind a legacy full of wins, championship moments, and historic performances in the name of women’s soccer.