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United States women’s national team legend Carli Lloyd has become one of the big talking points of the USWNT’s 0-0 draw vs. Portugal on Tuesday.
Lloyd was not enthused to see her former teammates dancing and celebrating after the lackluster performance and went on a mini rant.
Carli Lloyd rant about USWNT celebrating
Fox's Carli Lloyd did not mince words about the USWNT appearing to celebrate their disappointing 0-0 draw with Portugal.
"To be dancing? To be smiling? The player of the match was that post." pic.twitter.com/QPHCIAoZ1e— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 1, 2023
Carli Lloyd sounds off on the USWNT following a disappointing draw vs. Portugal
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 1, 2023
"I have never witnessed something like that," Lloyd said. "There's a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family. But to be dancing, to be smiling — I mean, the player of that match was that post. You're lucky to not be going home right now."
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski fired back saying the questioning of his team’s mentality is “insane.”
"To question the mentality of this team, to question the willingness to win, to compete... I think it's insane."
USWNT Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski, when asked to respond to postgame criticisms made by @CarliLloyd and some of the @FOXSports crew https://t.co/PFn5C8cDZJ pic.twitter.com/O600CE3BW4— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 1, 2023
“To question the mentality of this team, to question the willingness to win, to compete, I think is insane,” Andonovski said.
Lloyd’s final moments of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after losing to Canada featured her running sprints all alone. Perhaps that’s what Lloyd wanted to see from the team on Tuesday.
Megan Rapinoe got choked up when asked about a moment she & Carli Lloyd shared after the loss to Canada in (likely) their last Olympics. Meanwhile Carli is running suicides in the background the entire interview. @CarliLloyd is a warrior & an inspiration. #USWNT #Tokyo2020 #USA pic.twitter.com/c2B9hPIfso
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) August 2, 2021
I have a humorous image in my head of Lloyd traveling to Eden Park, where the USWNT drew Portugal, and doing sprints alone in the corner while her former teammates celebrate.
WHEN IN DOUBT SPRINT IT OUT.
Lloyd’s comments have split the U.S. fanbase quite a bit with some choosing the 41-year-old’s side and others pointing out some of her decisions in the past with her club team.
I don’t even disagree too heavily, but “these arrogant players are happier than they should be after a bad result” is insanely funny coming from Carli Lloyd who had like a nationwide farewell tour for herself while her club team went on a 14 match losing streak https://t.co/22NNU0vwiJ
— Henry Doheny's manager (@dparks97) August 1, 2023
Carli Lloyd definitely would’ve blocked Carli Lloyd on twitter for what she said about the players.
— Mike L. Goodman (@TheM_L_G) August 1, 2023
Was about to make the comment that Carli Lloyd only has one criticism that she recycles, but I know she blocks anyone for saying anything about her, and of course when I checked, I was in fact blocked already. So, Carli Lloyd has only one criticism that she recycles.
— Zito (@_Zeets) August 1, 2023
Her co-host Alexi Lalas tweeted in her defense after the wave of criticism.
Know this: @CarliLloyd is the real deal. Giving honest opinions on TV, even about something as inconsequential as sports, means exposing yourself to criticism, mockery, and vitriol. But it comes with the territory. Most ex-athletes find it hard. Carli was awesome tonight.⚽️
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) August 1, 2023
While the people of the USWNT-sphere are at each other’s throats, the Swedes are licking their chops at the sight of this wounded gazelle in the Serengeti we call the U.S. women’s national team.
The mentality of the team won’t matter all that much if Vlatko’s tactics and squad stay the same. The USWNT's Round of 16 game will be played on Sunday at 5 a.m. ET.
