Carli Lloyd Slaps USWNT With Harsh Criticisms Once Again
Throughout the lackluster FIFA Women's World Cup campaign by the United States, Carli Lloyd emerged as one of the most vocal critics of her former team.
She initially took aim at the team's reaction to a goalless draw against Portugal on August 1, calling out their celebration of a deflected Portuguese goal attempt, according to Sports Illustrated.
Following the team's elimination by Sweden in the round of 16, Lloyd candidly expressed her concerns on Fox, stating that the US was "failing at the U-17 level [and] failing at the U-20 level."
Lloyd's remarks stirred significant discussion and debate both within and beyond the borders of the United States.
When asked about any potential regret for her statements in an interview with Richard Deitsch of The Athletic, Lloyd stood by her words.
"I think maybe I was the only one brave enough to say it how it is," she stated.
Lloyd emphasized her honesty and straightforwardness, dispelling misconceptions that her commentary stemmed from arrogance or self-interest.
She remarked that the team's on-field behavior did not align with the values they had traditionally upheld.
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Cali Lloyd's Critical Remarks on USWNT's Portugal Match
In the aftermath of the Portugal match, Lloyd criticized the US side for narrowly escaping elimination when a late shot from Portugal struck the crossbar, per USA TODAY.
"Today was uninspiring. Disappointing. They don't look fit. They're playing as individuals and the tactics are too predictable," Lloyd commented on August 1.
She also took issue with the players celebrating after the group stage despite their inconsistent performance on the field.
Lloyd explained her stance on the celebratory displays, noting, "I'm all for positivity, but at the same time, the cheering, the dancing, I've got a problem with that."
She emphasized her concern for the team's body language and facial expressions, suggesting that these outward signs might not reflect their true feelings about their performance.
Carli Lloyd's storied soccer career includes participation in four World Cups for the United States, where she clinched victory in the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.
Notably, her exceptional performance during the 2015 final against Japan stands as one of the most memorable moments in US soccer history, as she secured a hat trick within 16 minutes of the game.
In contrast, the most recent World Cup did not witness a comparable feat from the US team, leading to their poorest finish in tournament history.
Carli Lloyd expressed her disappointment in the team's performance, noting that the team's standards, rooted in the legacies of previous generations, were not met this time around.
USWNT Captain Lindsey Horan Reacts to Carli Lloyd's Comments
In response, USWNT captain Lindsey Horan expressed her frustration at Carli Lloyd's comments, noting that they were hurtful and disregarded the substantial effort and preparation that the team invests into every game, PEOPLE noted.
Horan defended her teammates, asserting that the public might not fully comprehend the dedication and hard work that transpires behind the scenes.
"Again, it's noise and, again, it's an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We know that's how it goes," she said.
"I always want to defend my team and say, 'You have no idea what's going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single training what we're doing individually, collectively, etc,'" she concluded.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
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