The United States Women’s National Team barely avoided elimination from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, holding on to a 0-0 draw after a late shot attempt from Portugal bounced off the post in stoppage time. But despite the lackluster performance, the USWNT players – led by superstar Megan Rapinoe – still celebrated by dancing and singing on the field after the game. And that made USWNT legend Carli Lloyd absolutely furious.
Following the match, Carli Lloyd absolutely blasted Megan Rapinoe and the other players for the way they were celebrating despite nearly losing in the group stage, pointing out that the team was “lucky to not be going home.”
“Just seeing these images for the first time at the desk, I have never witnessed something like that,” Lloyd said on the broadcast after the match. “There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and being ‘hello’ to your family. But to be dancing? To be smiling? I mean, the player of the match was that post. You are lucky to not be going home right now.”
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
It’s certainly a brutal message from Lloyd, but it’s not entirely untrue.
The United States has certainly not looked like its usual dominant self this World Cup, and Lloyd clearly isn’t willing to celebrate that when the expectations for this team have always been so high.
