Carli Lloyd created quite the firestorm earlier this week.
After the USWNT disappointingly drew against Portugal to end the group stage, the former star ripped the current players for dancing and celebrating as if they had won. Part of Lloyd’s criticism was also rooted in her believing recent fame had gotten to the players’ heads — a point our Mike Sykes disagreed with.
In light of some of the backlash Lloyd has gotten, she took time to clarify her critique during the FOX World Cup broadcast on Wednesday. The two-time World Cup champion kept it simple:
She cares about the team greatly, and she wants them to carry on a rich tradition.
"I want people to understand that I care deeply about this team."@CarliLloyd shares how her previous comments on the USWNT come from a place of admiration and how they were reflected in a legacy of success and generational greatness 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2TIv8YQOVr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 2, 2023
I might still disagree with segments of Lloyd’s comments, like the idea that fame hurts the players’ on-field mentality. If that were the case, none of the big superpowers would ever fare well in the tournament, let alone the USWNT.
But in terms of general substance — a team legend wants to see better play from the new generation — I can’t fault Lloyd for speaking her mind. She’s an ambassador of the USWNT at heart, and if she sees something she doesn’t appreciate, she’ll highlight it. Even with a berth in the knockout stages, the USWNT has been playing poorly during this World Cup. Anyone in her position would find it hard not to say anything.
Lloyd is closer to the team than most people. She’s at least earned that right.
This was how Twitter reacted
Not a single thing wrong @CarliLloyd. You gave your opinion because that’s the JOB…few understand that. It doesn’t matter if you disagree or not, good on you for speaking what you thought in the moment. #USWNT https://t.co/UufWmaFpCt
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 2, 2023
The fact players on this roster are upset over her comments shows how truly soft this team is, Carli was 100% right in everything she said yesterday over the disappointing group play this team had done, this team will not be winning for a 3rd time in a row with the fragile egos https://t.co/o1SeQyDdKj
— Jimmy Sanford (@JSanford15) August 2, 2023
The fact she had to comment on this is dumb. https://t.co/X5u5iiKiAL
— Travis Rockhold (@TravisRockhold) August 2, 2023
Who the heck was mad at Carli's comments? She was the heart and soul of team USA for years, and was a no nonsense player. She expects better of her former teammates, nothing wrong with that. She wants to see them and the team win https://t.co/i8jKL6oYfh
— Andrew Gai (@That1Gai) August 2, 2023
So all of the comments in this post say she has nothing to apologize for (I agree)
So who are the people claiming that her statements are off base?
The #USWNT has not played up to the standards of previous teams or a team that is ranked #1 in the world. Carli is spot on https://t.co/FK84OPMbeD
— Steve Toto 🇺🇸 ⚽ + 🥍 (@stoto8) August 2, 2023
It’s crazy that so many people got upset with her comments yesterday. The team played mediocre and Cari had every right to call them out. https://t.co/dNF4CSH6eD
— James Stubblefield (@jameswilliamiii) August 2, 2023
I saw nothing wrong with what she said. To have former players in these media positions, her reaction to that draw the other night is exactly what you want to see and hear. https://t.co/3Lcav20mWw
— Bodack (@JBodack92) August 2, 2023
The first time Carli spoke. Raw emotion was spot on. https://t.co/VXgx4z3ibf pic.twitter.com/qY76N98MEw
— Amit Singh (@aasingh11) August 2, 2023
But seriously, if you’re going to criticize the players/program so much stick to your guns. Don’t come on TV the following morning saying I didn’t mean it to come out that way. Pick a side, and stay there https://t.co/cJwis1nGXz
— Sam Beck (@SamBeckPDX) August 2, 2023
