United States women’s national team legend Carli Lloyd signed off on her international career in emphatic style on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a 6-0 win over South Korea
Carli Lloyd who played her last game for America started the game and played for 66 minute winning the player of the of match, before being replaced by Alex Morgan.
Lindsey Horan and So-Hyun Cho’s own goal gave the Americans a two-goal lead in the first half, before Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, and Lynn Williams scored four goals in the second half to complete the rout.
Lloyd, who memorably scored three goals in the opening 16 minutes of the U.S. victory in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, is hanging up the boots after a decorated career that includes two World Cup titles, a pair of Olympic gold medals and two time FIFA Player of the Year.
Lloyd ranks second in the world for most-ever international appearances after having played in 315 career games. She has assisted 64 and scored 134 goals with the U.S., third most in the history of the women’s team. She became the first American to score in four different Olympics, and her 10 total goals in the event set a new record among U.S. players.
The two-time World Cup champion gave an emotional farewell speech, letting fans know the future of women’s soccer is very bright.
“You will not see me on the field, but you best believe that I will be around helping this game grow,” said Lloyd.
“It’s been emotional. But there’s just a sense of peace and contentment that I feel — it’s just joy and happiness,” she added. “It’s been an amazing journey and I gave it all I had, and now I can walk away into the next chapter.”
Lloyd honored Hollins on Tuesday with a jersey swap displaying her transition into the next chapter of life. She removed her No. 10 Lloyd jersey while on the field, to expose a jersey with Hollins’ name on the back.
“We (family) will all have a lot more time to spend together now, and especially with my husband Brian [Hollins], who has been my rock and biggest support system for all these years.
“He’s been supporting me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done this journey without him. To leave the field with Lloyd on my back & then to go off as Hollins – the next chapter’s going to be about Brian & I”
Nike also commemorated Carli Lloyd’s last game for the USWNT with special boots.
Lloyd, 39, retired from international competition but will have at least two more matches for NY/NJ Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, at Racing Louisville on Thursday and home against Louisville in Harrison, N.J., on Sunday.
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