Carli Lloyd Criticizes Decline of US Women’s National Soccer Team
Carli Lloyd, a legend of the United States women’s national team (USWNT), has voiced her concerns about the decline of her former squad. After watching the USWNT’s loss to Mexico in the Concacaf Golf Cup group stage match, Lloyd took to social media to express her opinion that no one fears the team like they used to.
Lloyd stated, “Yes, the whole world has caught up… but I actually hate when people say that because the #USWNT started to regress at the 2020 Olympics and have gone backwards.” She emphasized that the team now has to rebuild and climb their way back up, as no one fears them anymore.
The post received much support in the comments, with one person stating, “American supremacy is a myth! We’re the same as everyone else.” Lloyd agreed, acknowledging that teams used to lose before even playing against the USWNT due to fear and intimidation. However, as complacency and a lack of hunger crept in during 2020, other teams gained confidence and realized that the US is beatable.
Lloyd, who retired from professional soccer in November 2021 after an illustrious career that included two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup titles, has been expressing her concerns since the disappointment of last year’s World Cup. The USWNT suffered an early exit in the Round of 16, losing to Sweden via a penalty shootout. This was the earliest exit in USWNT history.
Analysts like Lloyd and Alexi Lalas, who were present at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, noticed a lack of disappointment on the faces of the players themselves. Lloyd also discussed her concerns about a culture change within the team during her final years playing with her former teammate Hope Solo on the “Hope Solo Speaks” podcast.
Lloyd admitted that she did not enjoy the culture change within the squad, describing it as tough and challenging. She stated, “It wasn’t fun going in. It was only for the love of the game, really, for me. I wanted to win and wanted to help the team, but the culture within the team was the worst I had ever seen it.” She expressed hope for a brighter future and a change in certain aspects.
Despite the decline, the USWNT still possesses solid young talent, including Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Lindsey Horan. Emma Hayes has been announced as the next head coach of the USWNT, taking over from Vlatko Andonovski after the 2023 World Cup. Currently, Twila Kilgore is serving as the interim head coach until Hayes finishes her season in the Women’s Super League in England. Hayes will join the team before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The USWNT will have an opportunity to bounce back in the SheBelieves Cup semifinal against Japan on April 6. However, the true test for this squad will come in Paris this summer, where Lloyd and many others hope to see recognition that the US is no longer feared.
The question remains whether the USWNT can regain their status as a dominant force in women’s soccer moving forward. The team will need to address the issues that have led to their decline and rebuild their reputation as a formidable opponent. Only time will tell if they can reclaim their former glory.
