Soccer legend Carli Lloyd announces her retirement
Chicago, Illinois - A legend in women’s soccer has announced that her historic career will soon come to a close.
Carli Lloyd (39) will step away from the game of soccer, a sport that she helped bring to the American mainstream as one of the most dominant women’s athletes over the last two decades.
The US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) released a statement on her behalf, announcing her impending retirement on its official website.
"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," said Lloyd.
She played her first match under the US flag against Ukraine in 2005 and has been trailblazing in women's sports ever since.
The USWNT forward has scored 128 international goals, and is second all-time in US and world history with 312 caps.
Lloyd most recently made headlines by scoring two goals in the United States’ bronze-medal win over Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games, becoming the first American to score in four different Olympics.
Another career highlight performance came during the 2015 World Cup final, when she scored three goals in 17 minutes to help the US defeat Japan.
To finish out her career, she will play in four friendly matches with the USWNT and will also complete her season with the National Women’s Soccer League’s NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo