USWNT star and two-time World Cup winner Carli Lloyd announces retirement

Carli Lloyd, a star of the United States National Women’s Football Team, announcement her retirement on Monday, ending her legendary career as one of the most dominant players in her sport. Lloyd, 39, won two World Cups and was the second most capped player in world football history.

“I want to thank US Soccer for helping to provide opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. I am always grateful to have represented the crest and been able to play for my country for the past 17 years.” Lloyd said in a statement.

“I will continue to support and encourage this team and continue to find ways to help develop the game and inspire the next generation. End my career knowing that my family was able to be by my side and sharing this latest chapter with me couldn’t have been more special, ”she added.

Lloyd has said she will end her season with her National Women’s Football League team Gotham FC and take part in four more exhibition games with the U.S. team later this year before saying goodbye to the sport.

“Through all the goals, trophies, medals and championships I have won, what I’m most proud of is that I was able to stay me without an excuse. My journey has been difficult, but I can honestly say that I have remained true to myself, my teammates, my coaches, the media and the fans throughout my career and that is what I am most proud of, ”she added. “Everyone sees the great times, but I cherished the work behind the scenes and the adversity I had to overcome to get to these great times.”

Lloyd was born in Delran, New Jersey, in 1982. In college, she played for Rutgers University where she won All-Big East honors every four years and was three-time All-American. In 2002, she made her debut with the United States Women’s National Team.

She has scored 128 career goals, making her the fourth-highest goalscorer in United States history and fifth-scorer in world history. Lloyd also has 64 career assists and is the most successful midfielder in United States history.

Lloyd won the FIFA Female Player of the Year award in 2015 and 2016, becoming one of only two Americans to win the honor twice. She is also one of four international footballers to have played for their country more than 300 times. She also scored winning goals at the 2008, 2012 and 2021 Olympics, winning bronze for the United States in 2021.

One of her most memorable plays was a hat trick – three goals in a row – in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final against Japan. The last goal was a strike from the midfielder that cemented Lloyd’s status as legendary in American football history. That year, she received the 2015 Golden Ball, which honors the best player in the tournament.

At this year’s Tokyo Games, the US women’s team won bronze after beating Australia. Lloyd took the win with a winning kick, putting his team in the lead with a final score of 4-3. She later hinted that this year’s games would be her last.

“I had a different frame of mind in this one,” she said at a post-match press conference. “Obviously I’m at the end of my career. At some point I have to hang up the boots and live the life, my husband is anxiously waiting for me to pass out.”