American women’s football legend Carli Lloyd has announced she’s looking to retire from the sport after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Speaking on Charlie Webster’s ‘My Sporting Mind’ podcast, the 38-year-old said she will remain in the sport in some capacity after her playing days are over. After all, Lloyd is the third-highest capped player in American history, after making a total of 294 appearances for the national team.
Lloyd, a double Olympic champion and two-time Women’s World Cup winner, sits behind Christie Pearce, and all-time record holder Kristine Lilly, who represented her country 354 times. Lloyd also sits 4th place on the all-time list for goals (123 goals).
“My long-term goal is to make another Olympic team and win another Olympic gold medal with my team-mates,” said Lloyd on the podcast, “Hopefully that dream can come true next summer and then I’ll probably get a little taste of retirement and the next chapter.
“My husband and I would like to start a family eventually and I really still enjoy doing [coaching] clinics.
If Lloyd was to appear in all of the matches in the women’s tournament at Tokyo 2020, including either the gold or bronze medal match, she would join Kristine Lilly and Christie Pearce in an exclusive group of players to reach 300 caps.
This feat could be achieved prior to the conclusion of the tournament, due to friendlies prior to the international competition. But, for now, Lloyd is just firmly focused on the gold medal, which would be her 3rd Olympic title having topped the podium at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish a lot, but the final chapter isn’t written yet,” Lloyd said, “And I know that when the time comes for me to walk away from the sport I will hold my head high because I know in my heart that I left it all out there, gave everything I had and did everything possible to be the best and most complete player I could be.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are scheduled for July 23 to August 8, 2021; so, until then, we will have a lot of Carli Lloyd to watch on TV and enjoy in the US National Women’s Soccer League.
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