Carli Lloyd
American former professional soccer player and two-time World Cup winner.
Carli Lloyd (born Carli Anne Lloyd on July 16, 1982, in Delran Township, New Jersey) is a retired American professional soccer player. She helped the United States win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, and was a runner-up in 2011. In Olympic play, she scored the gold medal-winning goals in both the 2008 and 2012 finals, and also earned a bronze medal at the 2020 Games. FIFA named her Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Lloyd earned 316 caps for the U.S. national team, second all-time, and ranks third in goals and fifth in assists. In the 2015 World Cup final—a 5–2 win over Japan—she became the first player to score three goals in a Women’s World Cup final and the second player of any gender to net a hat trick in a World Cup final. She received the Golden Ball, Silver Boot, and Best Goal awards for that tournament.
At the club level, Lloyd played in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) for the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and the Atlanta Beat. In the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she won a league championship with the Western New York Flash and also played for the Houston Dash and Gotham FC. In 2019, she was the highest-paid female soccer player in the world. Her memoir, *When Nobody Was Watching*, came out in 2016.
Lloyd grew up in Delran, New Jersey, with her parents Stephen and Pamela, brother Stephen, and sister Ashley. She started playing soccer at age five. At 17, she attended the opening U.S. match of the 1999 Women’s World Cup at Giants Stadium, which inspired her to pursue a national team career.
At Delran High School (1997–2001), she played under coach Rudy Klobach, known for her ball control and midfield distribution. As a senior, she scored 26 goals and added eight assists, captaining the team to an 18–3 record. She was named *Philadelphia Inquirer* Girls’ High School Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000, a two-time *Star-Ledger* All-State First Team selection, and a *Parade* All-American in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, she was *Courier-Post* Player of the Year and South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Midfielder of the Year. She also played for W-League teams Central Jersey Splash (1999), New Brunswick Power (2000), and South Jersey Banshees (2001).
At Rutgers University (2001–2005), Lloyd played for the Scarlet Knights under head coach Glenn Crooks. As a freshman, she started every match and led the team with 15 goals, earn
- born
- July 16, 1982
- field
- Soccer
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Scoring hat-trick in 2015 Women's World Cup Final; gold medal-winning goals in 2008 and 2012 Olympics
Lore & Background
Lloyd was born to Stephen and Pamela Lloyd and raised in Delran Township, New Jersey. She began playing soccer at age five. At age 17, she attended the opening U.S. match of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup at nearby Giants Stadium, which inspired her to play for the national team. She attended Delran High School from 1997 to 2001, where she was named Girls' High School Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1999 and 2000. She played college soccer at Rutgers University from 2001 to 2005, becoming the school's all-time leader in points (117), goals (50), and shots, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Sport Studies.
Lloyd made her first appearance for the U.S. women's national team on July 10, 2005, against Ukraine. She scored her first international goal on October 1, 2006, against Taiwan. During the 2007 Algarve Cup, she scored four goals and was named tournament MVP. She played in her first Women's World Cup in 2007, where the U.S. finished third. Lloyd made 316 appearances for the U.S. national team, placing her second in caps, and ranks third in goals and fifth in assists. During the 2015 Women's World Cup Final, she became the first player in history to score three goals in a Women's World Cup final and the second player of any gender to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final. She received the Golden Ball, the Silver Boot, and the Best Goal awards at that tournament.
In club soccer, Lloyd played for the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and the Atlanta Beat in the Women's Professional Soccer league. In the National Women's Soccer League, she won the league championship with the Western New York Flash, and also played for the Houston Dash and Gotham FC. In 2017, she joined English club Manchester City on loan, winning the 2016–17 FA Women's Cup and scoring a goal in the final. In 2019, Lloyd was the highest paid female soccer player in the world. Her memoir, When Nobody Was Watching, was published in 2016.
Reader's Guide
Carli Lloyd is a central figure in the history of U.S. women's soccer, known for her clutch performances in major tournaments. Her hat-trick in the 2015 Women's World Cup Final remains a landmark achievement, as she became the first player of any gender to score three goals in a World Cup final. She scored the gold medal-winning goals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic finals, and won a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. Lloyd was named FIFA Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016. Her 316 caps rank second all-time for the U.S., and she ranks third in goals and fifth in assists. Her club career spanned multiple leagues, including the WPS and NWSL, and she was the highest paid female soccer player in the world in 2019. Her legacy is defined by her scoring ability, leadership, and longevity at the highest level of the sport.
Did You Know?
- Lloyd scored a hat-trick in the 2015 Women's World Cup Final, the first player of any gender to score three goals in a World Cup final.
- She scored the gold medal-winning goals in the finals of the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
- Lloyd was named FIFA Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
- She made 316 appearances for the U.S. national team, second in caps.
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