It is the end of an era for the United States Women's National Soccer Team as USA soccer legend Carli Lloyd announced her retirement on Monday. Lloyd bows out of the USWNT program as one of its greatest players in history, playing a vital role in making the USA an international power in women's soccer.
Lloyd paid tribute to U.S. soccer for making her the athlete she is today and providing her memories and opportunities 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," said Lloyd.
Lloyd racked up incredible numbers during a stellar 17-year career for the USA
Lloyd made quite an impression during her lengthy 17-year service for the USWNT, which began in July 2005 against Ukraine in Portland. She managed to rack up a whopping 312 international caps in her career, which puts Lloyd second all-time in history (US and world) and just behind the number of appearances of the great Kristine Lilly, who holds the record with 354 caps.
What made Lloyd such a valuable member of Team USA was her production on the pitch. She scored a total of 128 goals in her international career, putting her fourth all-time in the history of U.S. women's soccer and fifth all-time in the world. She wasn't just a scorer but a facilitator as well, dishing out 64 career assists, good for sixth in USWNT history.
Lloyd departs the USWNT program with an incredible winning percentage of 88%. Through Lloyd's 312 caps to date, the USA amassed an overall record of 257-17-38 that spanned three different decades. She was a staple for USWNT on the biggest tournaments, appearing in four World Cups (25 matches) and four Olympic Games (22 matches).
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Lloyd delivered the goods on the biggest stage
Lloyd showed up big time in those major international events as well. She scored a hat-trick within the first 17 minutes of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, helping Team USA beat Japan 5-2.
Lloyd also scored in all the medal games she played in the Summer Games, bagging match-winners in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics gold medal games. She failed to take home the gold in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics but scored twice in the bronze medal match against Australia to take home her last prize for USWNT.
It isn't a complete surprise to see Lloyd top the list of the USA's all-time leading scorers in the Olympics with ten goals. She also scored ten goals in the World Cup, trailing just Abby Wambach and Michelle Akers on the all-time scoring list for USWNT in this event.
Lloyd's journey with USWNT isn't over just yet, as she will appear in four friendly matches this fall in her final tour of duty for the United States. Lloyd will also be playing out her final season in the National Women's Soccer League with NJ/NY Gotham FC before hanging her boots for good.
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