Carli Lloyd has done more for the growth of soccer in the United States than probably any other player. The 39-year-old New Jersey native recently announced her retirement from the US Women’s National team after having made 312 appearances and being a part of two World Cup and two Olympic gold-winning teams. She has accumulated 128 goals with the national team. Lloyd will play in four more international friendlies this fall before putting an end to her illustrious career.
Lloyd will also finish out the rest of the National Women's Soccer League season with Gotham FC after her twelve-year career with six different clubs.
The striker is one of just two Americans to win the FIFA Women's Player of the Year Award twice; in 2015 and 2016. (The other was Mia Hamm who received the honor in 2001 and 2002.) Like Hamm, Lloyd has eight tricks as part of the USWNT.
Lloyd began playing soccer as a child growing up in southern New Jersey and showed natural ability from an early age.
Following High School she played for Rutgers University from 2001-2004.
Lloyd made her first appearance for the USWNT on July 10, 2005, against Ukraine. She scored her first international goal on October 1, 2006, against Taiwan.
Upon announcing her retirement Lloyd said:
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. 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.
Lloyd joins an impressive list of women who have left their mark on the sport and helped to raise the profile of women’s soccer in the US and around the world. She ranks among one of the best along with Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Alex Morgan, and Briana Scurry.