USWNT legend, a Jersey Girl through and through, Rutgers now with Gotham, she will hang them up following a quartet of USWNT games and he completion of the current season with her club team. Are there really any more challenges for her, all the success as an individual and team member, her goals have increased as she entered her 30's, an amazing stat. Will she go down as one of the all time greats, no doubt, she hit that mark long ago. The # 2 in World Soccer, she has 128 goals at the international level to go with her astounding 64 assists. Her time for her country, set to close on Oct., while as this curtain draws on her club team's 2021 season so to does her dozen year career with half a dozen teams.
Carli stated, "As I near the end of my career, being able to close it out in New Jersey is truly special. I want to thank Gotham FC for continuing to push the barriers to make this club one of the best."
At Rutgers, she was a 4 years All Big East selection and thrice over an All-American pick. Now 39 her time as a pro began in the Windy city, with the Chicago Red Stars, then of the WPS. Netting 2x in her first year she is now pushing 50. Moving onto Sky Blue for year #2, then 2011 saw her suit up for the Atlanta Beat, when the NWSL came to be, she joined the Western New York Flash. Now her final year is foucused on bringing home a title to the home fans.
2018, back to Sky Blue, re branded earlier this year to Gotham FC, in one of the massive trades that occur every now and again in the league, she arrived from the Houston Dash, a move involving a trio of teams, Carli will cap off her career in the colors of her hometown team. With just 3 more games, she hits the century mark, yet another feather in her full cap.
Gotham Chairperson and Majority owner, Tammy Murphy told "Carli Lloyd's amazing career is unmatched. She has been the face of women's soccer in New Jersey for nearly two decades and inspired multiple generations of player to "play like Carli". On behalf of he entire Gotham FC community, I want to thank her for her dedication and commitment to the sport. She'll always be part of the Gotham FC family."
Her drive and determination have shown through at every chance. Year one of the NWSL, she had a pair of assists with Western NY in 2013 to get past Sky Blue for the title game facing the Portland Thorns. Again facing the Thorns in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Final, she had the goal that knotted up the match, forcing PK's , where she did of course find the back of the net, yet again.
Gotham HC, Freya Coombe informed "Carli has an unmatched mentality and determination to succeed that has made her one of the world's elite players. I want to wish her continued success and feel very proud to have worked with one of the best."
Carli further stated " To my coaching staff, support staff an owners, thank you for everything you have done for all of us. To my teammates, I love you all . Let's continue to make this push to win an NWSL Championship!"
Newly named but hardly new to the game, team interm GM, Yael Averbuch West had this to say "I had the pleasure of playing with Carli over the years and watching her commitment to the game firsthand. She is truly one of the hardest working athletes out there and is a legend of the game. It's an honor for me to help send her out on a high note with Gotham FC."
With 5 home games left, be sure to attend to show her off enmasse, a highlight will be when presented her jersey for reaching the 50 game milestone. The year wraps facing their most recent opponent, Racing Louisville FC.