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Carli Lloyd

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Carli Anne Hollins, known professionally as Carli Lloyd, is a retired American soccer player. She is widely considered one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport. Lloyd achieved greatness as a midfielder, a position responsible for connecting the defense to the attack. She was famous for her ball control and her ability to distribute the ball accurately. Throughout her career, she earned numerous titles and individual honors. Her success helped define an era of dominance for the United States Women's National Team (USWNT).

Carli Lloyd celebrates
Carli Lloyd celebrates

Playing at the highest level involves intense physical and mental demands. As a midfielder, Lloyd had to manage the flow of the game. She used her skill to move the ball into scoring positions. In the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final, she demonstrated extraordinary precision. She scored three goals in just the first 16 minutes of the match. This included two goals within the first five minutes of play. By doing this, she became the first player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA Women's World Cup final.

USWNT victory parade Mayor De Blasio with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe
USWNT victory parade Mayor De Blasio with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe

Lloyd's professional path included many different clubs across various leagues. She played in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) for the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC. She also played for the Atlanta Beat. When the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) began in 2013, she joined the Western New York Flash. She helped that team win the regular season championship. Later, she played for the Houston Dash and went on loan to Manchester City in England. She finished her career playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Carli Lloyd - Midfielder, Houston Dash (20432364664)
Carli Lloyd - Midfielder, Houston Dash (20432364664)

Her journey began in Delran Township, New Jersey. She started playing soccer at age five in coed games. Her mother, Pamela, noted that Lloyd showed great ability and worked very hard from a young age. A major turning point occurred when she attended the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Watching that tournament inspired her to pursue a career with the national team. She later excelled at Delran High School, where she captained her team to an 18–3 record.

Carli Lloyd phillies 100315
Carli Lloyd phillies 100315

Lloyd continued her development at Rutgers University from 2001 to 2004. Playing for the Scarlet Knights, she became a standout collegiate athlete. She was named First-Team All-Big East for four consecutive years. This made her the first athlete at Rutgers to achieve such a feat. She ended her college career as the school's all-time leader in points, goals, and shots. Her impact was so significant that she was later inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

On the international stage, Lloyd's statistics are remarkable. She made 316 appearances for the U.S. national team. This total places her second in appearances, or caps, for the team. She also holds the third-most goals and fifth-most assists in U.S. history. Her trophy cabinet includes two Olympic gold medals from 2008 and 2012. She also won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. In March 2021, she was recognized as the highest-paid female soccer player in the world.

Beyond her physical skills, Lloyd's career is a study in longevity and excellence. She competed in four different Olympic Games: 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021. Even as a veteran, she helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She retired from the national team in 2021 after four final friendly matches. She also published a memoir titled "When Nobody Was Watching" in 2016. Her life and career serve as a major chapter in the history of professional women's sports.

Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd at 2012 Summer Olympics final
Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd at 2012 Summer Olympics final
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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Carli Lloyd - Midfielder, Houston Dash (20432364664).jpg
Carli Lloyd - Midfielder, Houston Dash...
File:Estados Unidos x Suécia - Futebol feminino - Olimpíada Rio 2016 (28320675743).jpg
Estados Unidos x Suécia - Futebol...
File:Jogadoras dos Estados Unidos no momento da cobrança dos pênaltis (DSC01176).jpg
Jogadoras dos Estados Unidos no momento...
File:Carli Lloyd celebrates.jpg
Carli Lloyd celebrates.jpg
File:Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd at 2012 Summer Olympics final.jpg
Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd at 2012 Summer...
File:USWNT victory parade Mayor De Blasio with Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.jpg
USWNT victory parade Mayor De Blasio with...
File:Carli Lloyd phillies 100315.jpg
Carli Lloyd phillies 100315.jpg
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