U.S. Soccer Legend Carli Lloyd Announces Retirement

Carli Lloyd celebrates scoring during a game against Australia during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on Aug. 5, 2021 in Kashima, Japan.

 

After 312 caps, 128 goals and fresh off a third Olympic medal, Carli Lloyd is calling it a career. 
The second-most capped player in the history of international soccer officially announced her retirement Monday from the U.S. women’s national team, for which she has played since 2005. Lloyd hasn’t yet played her final game in stars and stripes, however, as the USWNT will be scheduling a series of four friendlies in the fall in which Lloyd is expected to participate. It’ll be a chance to say goodbye for fans who have watched her become one of the best-ever players in a U.S. shirt.
“I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for helping to provide the opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. I am forever grateful to have represented the crest and to be able to play for my country for the last 17 years,” Lloyd said in a U.S. Soccer release. “I will continue to support and cheer this team on and continue to find ways to help grow the game and inspire the next generation.”

 

A legendary career comes to a close 🇺🇸🐐 @CarliLloyd has announced her retirement. The soon-to-be announced four #USWNT fall friendlies will be her final matches in a U.S. uniform, closing out a remarkable career. She will finish the @NWSL season with @GothamFC.

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) August 16, 2021

 

Lloyd won’t be able to catch Kristine Lilly’s 354 career caps in those friendlies but could catch her 130 goals that rank 3rd in U.S. history. Lloyd improved her chances in the bronze-medal match of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with two goals, the second of which turned out to be the winner as the U.S. held off Australia. It was yet another marquee performance in a huge match in a career full of them.


Lloyd is the all-time leading scorer for the USWNT at the Olympic Games with 10 and third in goals at the World Cup. It was at the World Cup where Lloyd had arguably the defining performance of her career in 2015. In the final against Japan, Lloyd scored a hat trick in the first 17 minutes to lead a 5-2 U.S. win. That was the first of two World Cup wins in Lloyd’s career to go with a bronze medal in 2007 and silver in 2011. Lloyd also owns two Olympic gold medals in addition to the bronze won in Tokyo. 


The accolades, including two FIFA Women’s Player of the Year awards, go on and on. For Lloyd, she’s most proud of how she played the game.


“Through all the goals, the trophies, the medals and the championships won, what I am most proud of is that I’ve been able to stay unapologetically me,” she said. “My journey has been hard, but I can honestly say I’ve stayed true to myself, to my teammates, my coaches, the media and the fans throughout my entire career and that is what I am most proud of.”

Todd Kortemeier is a sportswriter, editor and children’s book author from Minneapolis. He is a contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.