On Tuesday, United States Women’s National Team legend Carli Lloyd absolutely blasted the team following their unsatisfying 0-0 draw against Portugal, criticizing the team for the way they celebrated after the result. And now, she’s defending her words.
During an appearance on Fox Sports on Wednesday, Carli Lloyd made it clear that she only criticizes the team because she cares “deeply” about it, and she feels that after everything she’s done for the team she has earned the right to be a little bit critical.
“I want people to understand that I care deeply about this team,” Lloyd said.
"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 poured my heart and soul into this team for 17 years, and it was based off a legacy that was just passed down from generation to generation. The mentality. The DNA of what makes that team so great. So, my comments were reflective of me wanting to see that legacy continued to be passed down from generation to generation. And with that, it comes with hard work, it comes with focus. So, my hope is that continues because that’s what makes the U.S. so special and so deadly.”
Lloyd’s comments appeared to strike a nerve with USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who called her criticism of the team “insane.” But it’s clear that Lloyd is not backing down.
