Carli Lloyd calls time on her career, announces her retirement

We didn’t know when the day would come but we knew the day would arrive. It’s today. Carli Lloyd officially announced her retirement from professional soccer. Lloyd not only will be retiring from the USWNT but she will also be done with club soccer once the 2021 NWSL season with NJ/NY Gotham FC ends.

We have seen Carli Lloyd suit up for the USWNT for the last 17 years and in that time, she earned 312 caps, the second highest for the team. She wracked up 128 goals, fourth on the all-time list, and is one of only four players who have played over 300 times for their country.

In a statement released today by U.S. Soccer, Lloyd said that her two main goals when she first started with the national team were “to be the most complete soccer player I could be and to help the team win championships.” She has certainly done that by being a key figure in the USWNT’s run to two Gold medals (2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics) and the 2015 World Cup title.

“Every single day I stepped out onto the field, I played as if it was my last game. I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long. 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”.

Carli Lloyd leaves this game with an accomplished career; twice a World Cup winner (2015 and 2019), an Olympic medalists three times (two Gold and one Bronze), listed twice on the FIFPro Best XI (2015 and 2016), the 2015 World Cup Golden Ball, the 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year and a FA Cup winner’s medal (2016/2017). She also featured for 12 teams during her club career, Manchester City W.F.C., the Chicago Red Stars, Western New York Flash, the Houston Dash and Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC).

For her exploits during the 2008 and 2012 Olympic finals, as well as her performance at the 2015 World Cup (who could forget her hat-trick in the final?), Carli Lloyd will surely be remembered as a legend for the USWNT. Without her goals during those tournaments, who knows where the USWNT would have ended up.

With four more chances for USWNT fans to see Lloyd and to say goodbye to her, we’re sure many will flock to the friendlies lined up in September and October. As for her club team, Gotham FC are still chasing a playoff spot in the NWSL and if they accomplish that, wherever their run ends, will be also where Carli Lloyd ends her career. Don’t put it past her to not finish on a high note with a few goals then either