Carli Lloyd Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame in First Year of Eligibility
About a half hour after producing one of the most remarkable performances in FIFA World Cup history on July 5, 2015, Carli Lloyd was trying to find the right words to describe what she and her teammates had accomplished.
“I don't think it’s entirely sunk in,” she said. “I’m so proud and so zapped at the same time. It is surreal. We just wrote history today, bringing the World Cup home.”
Not only had Lloyd recorded a hat-trick for the U.S. Women’s National Team in a 5-2 triumph over defending champion Japan, but she also completed the feat during an incredible 13-minute span in the opening 16 minutes of the game. Geoff Hurst is the only other player to tally a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final, in England’s win over West Germany in 1966, but it took him more than 90 minutes to do so.
Lloyd earned the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and the Silver Boot as the No. 2 goal-scorer, the signature moment of a career that boasted countless big moments.
When the Medford, N.J., native decided to hang up her boots, Lloyd had played for two Women’s World Cup championship teams (2015, 2019), two Olympic gold medal winning sides (2008, 2012), and she also had earned a bronze medal (2020). She fired home 134 goals and added 64 assists in 316 appearances, second only to Kristine Lilly's 354 matches, during a 17-year international career.
She was named the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
Lloyd will add another honor to her collection when she is inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas, on May 3, 2025. She was elected in her first year of eligibility on the Players Ballot.
Beyond her obvious talent, Lloyd also became known for her relentless work ethic.
“In the footballing world, she’s done things that are just unheard of in the game and legend status for sure,” USWNT midfielder Tobin Heath said. “The way that she’s gone about her business and the type of professional she is, and the way that she’s the reason why the U.S. Women’s National Team has the history of success that we’ve had is in a large way due to Carli Lloyd and the big time plays that she’s had and big-time moments.”
She also influenced the current generation. Forward Sophia Smith, who formed “Triple Expresso” along with Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson for the U.S. team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sat at Lloyd’s assigned table during COVID-19 protocols in 2021.
“I definitely don’t take that for granted,” Smith said. “I pick her brain. I ask her questions. I just tried to learn from her because she’s been through it all. She has an experience unlike anyone. I’m going to take advantage of that, because it’s not every day that you get to interact and talk with a legend. Carli’s amazing. There really is no one like her.”
Lloyd was born in Delran Township, N.J., on June 16, 1982. She took to soccer at age 5.
“At that age, it was co-ed, and Carli was hanging with the boys,” her mother Pamela told the Philadelphia Daily News. “She always loved it and showed a lot of ability from an early age, but she also has always worked hard.”
Lloyd moved up and competed with the Medford Strikers SC in Medford, N.J., and the Universal Soccer Academy. She dedicated her 2017 FIFA award to those two organizations.
“I owe a lot to the kids from Medford Strikers and Universal,” Lloyd told EDPSoccer.com in 2018. “I have always been able to come home and hop into their practices, giving me a realistic environment and helping me continuously improve my game.
“This place is home for me. I’m proud to have played for this club and being able to still train on the fields I grew up playing at has a special feeling to it.”
Years later, Lloyd looked upon her experience with the club with great fondness, calling her experience with the Strikers “one of the best teams I’ve ever been part of.”
She attended Rutgers University from 2001 to 2004, twice winning All-American honors. Lloyd set Scarlet Knights career records in points (117) and goals (50) and was second in game-winning goals (15). She also helped Rutgers reach the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I Women's Tournament in 2001.
Lloyd said the idea of playing with the USWNT didn’t come on her radar until she was 16, watching the team play in the opening of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“Watching the ’99 World Cup I think really kind of hit home for me,” she said. “Being able to go there with my sister at Giants Stadium, watch the women play, the packed stadium that they had, which was unbelievable. I think at that moment I said to myself, ‘This would be unbelievable.’
“As a kid that young, you don’t think it’s really achievable, and you think that it’s super far away.”
She made her international debut on July 10, 2005, replacing Aly Wagner in the 64th minute of a 7-0 win over Ukraine in Portland, Ore., and she scored her first goal in a 10-0 triumph over Taiwan in Carson, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2006.
After Lloyd was named MVP of the 2007 Algarve Cup, expectations were high at the Women’s World Cup in China that year, but it didn't happen. Lloyd did not play up to her abilities, and she knew it. She decided to drastically change her training habits.
It paid off and then some.
Returning to China for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Lloyd had an opportunity for some retribution.
Lloyd rose to the occasion, scoring twice. After the U.S. was stunned by Norway, 2-0, in its group stage opener, she rescued the Americans with the lone tally in a 1-0 victory against Japan. She didn't find the net again until the gold medal match, six minutes into extra time, to lift the U.S. to a 1-0 win over Brazil.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would score the goal that would give us the Olympic gold,” Lloyd said.
At the next Olympics four years later, Lloyd did herself one better.
Relegated to the bench by head coach Pia Sundhage at the beginning of the competition, Lloyd wound up starting and recorded a brace to help the Americans to their third consecutive Olympic gold medal behind a 2-1 triumph over Japan.
“I’m so proud of Carli, because she lost her starting job before the Olympics started,” striker Abby Wambach said. “She … didn’t pout about it, was a great teammate and stayed professional, stayed true to what this team is about.”
Sundhage apologized publicly to Lloyd during her most-match press conference.
“She has proven that I was wrong before the Olympics,” she said. “I am happy she was more clever than I was.”
Lloyd took full advantage of her second chance.
“I knew I had a big job. Had to seize the moment. I worked hard, and when someone tells me I’m not good enough to start, I’m going to prove them wrong.”
In 2015, Lloyd saved her best for the last game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final. After being blanked in the three group stage matches, she struck for a goal in each of the first three knockout round games. Then came the historic hat-trick against Japan, which included that audacious 55-yard chip shot from the halfway line that surprised goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori. The goal propelled the USWNT to a 4-0 advantage in the 16th minute.
“I called her my beast,” U.S. coach Jill Ellis told Fox Sports. “She’s unbelievable. She’s a rock star.”
Added Lloyd: “I just completely zoned out. I dreamed and visualized playing in a World Cup final. I dreamed and visualized scoring four goals. ... If your mental state isn’t good enough, you can’t bring yourself to bigger and better things. I was on a mission today.”
Unlike her teammates who had friends and family attend the tournament, Lloyd told hers to stay away. That included her fiancé, golfer Brian Hollins. (They were married on Nov. 4, 2016.)
“Not having anyone here, to focus on my job and help the team win, has been a main factor,” she said.
Lloyd finished her career with a U.S.-record 10 Olympic goals, scoring twice in the 4-2 bronze-medal victory over Australia in the delayed 2020 Summer Games.
When she wasn't filling the net for the national side, Lloyd was accomplishing similar things in several professional leagues. She played for the Chicago Red Stars (2009), Sky Blue FC (2010) and Atlanta Beat (2011) in Women's Professional Soccer. After the National Women's Soccer League was established, Lloyd stood out for the Western New York Flash (2013-14), Houston Dash (2015-17) and Sky Blue FC-NJ/NY Gotham FC (2018-21). She also played on loan with Manchester City in England (2017).
After retiring, Lloyd has worked as a TV soccer commentator, covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand for Fox Sports. And away from the game, she recently had another memorable moment.
On Oct. 18, 2024, Lloyd gave birth to Harper Anne Hollins.
“So very grateful for this amazing blessing in our lives. By far the hardest thing I have ever endured but the best thing I’ve ever done!,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Don’t be surprised if 7-month-old Harper is in Frisco, Texas, on May 3 to celebrate her Mom’s latest honor.
