The American Carli Lloyd played her 316th international match on Tuesday, ending her international career. The 39-year-old midfielder was replaced in the USA’s test match in St. Paul against South Korea (6-0) in the 65th minute to the applause of 18,115 fans. Lloyd is considered one of the best female soccer players in history.
The two-time world footballer (2015 and 2016) has set standards, not only in US football. Lloyd won two world titles (2015 and 2019) and was Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012. In Beijing 2008, Lloyd scored the 1-0 winning goal against Brazil in the final. Four years later in London she scored both goals in the Olympic final against Japan, becoming the only player to score the winning goal in consecutive Olympic finals.
Most recently, Lloyd won bronze with the US team at the Tokyo Games, where they scored twice in a 4-3 win over Australia. Her three goals in the first 16 minutes of the victorious 2015 World Cup final against Japan were also outstanding. In their 316 internationals, Lloyd scored 134 goals, the third most in team history.
“It was very emotional. But I just have a feeling of peace and contentment – it’s just joy and happiness. It was an incredible journey and I gave it my all and now I can turn to the next chapter, ”said Lloyd, who will be playing New Jersey / New York Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League before the end of the season she stops completely.
