Legendary U.S. Women's National Soccer Team player Carli Lloyd is inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Rewritten Article:
Step into the storied career of Carli Lloyd, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) legend inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
In her own words, Lloyd expressed, "The red, white, and blue were the greatest honor to wear. It wasn't a walk in the park. The journey was demanding, filled with countless sacrifices. But every minute of it was worth it, because I loved the game, the lessons I learned, the bonds I forged, and the experiences I gained were beyond my wildest dreams."
Slaying the Soccer Field with the USWNT
The 2025 class of the National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees boasted stars like Mark Abbott, Chris Armas, Mary Harvey, Nick Rimando, and Lloyd herself. With the USWNT, Lloyd reigned supreme, securing two FIFA Women's World Cup titles in 2005 and 2019, and snagging two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. To add to her triumph, she captured a bronze medal in 2020.
Lloyd, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year (2016, 2017), set the stage by delivering the all-time fastest hat-trick in FIFA World Cup history. She remains the sole player to achieve this feat in a final match.
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final saw Lloyd take the lead against Japan, scoring the first goal just three minutes in, and subsequently racking up three goals in 17 minutes. Her most iconic goal, a towering shot from 54 yards out, established an unbeatable 3-0 lead for the USA, ultimately clinching a 5-2 victory over their longstanding adversaries.
Her performance that day earned her the Golden Ball and the Silver Boot as the tournament's second-highest goal scorer. Lloyd's iron will in the game established a template for the USA in crucial moments, as seen in her contributions during the 2012 London Olympics. Lloyd netted the first goal in the eighth minute, and, following Japan's equalizer, her brace propelled the USWNT to a decisive victory.
Making a Lasting Impact
Apart from her illustrious international career, Lloyd proved her mettle on domestic turf, playing in two professional soccer leagues.
Lloyd commenced her career in the Women's Professional Soccer league with the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue, and Atlanta Beat. Her journey continued in the National Women's Soccer League with Western New York Flash, Houston Dash, and culminated at home with Gotham FC.
Post-retirement, Lloyd embraced a new role, becoming a mother in October 2024, as she and her husband welcomed their daughter, Harper Anne Hollins, into the world.
In the same vein, Lloyd, a member of the 2025 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees, proved her soccer prowess not only on the international stage but also in domestic leagues. While she played for Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue, and Atlanta Beat in the Women's Professional Soccer league, she furthered her career in the National Women's Soccer League with Western New York Flash, Houston Dash, and Gotham FC. On the international scene, Lloyd, a two-time FIFA Player of the Year, delivered an unprecedented performance in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, securing a place in history as the sole player to achieve the all-time fastest hat-trick in FIFA World Cup history. This remarkable feat, completed within 17 minutes, helped her team secure a victory against Japan, despite initially trailing 1-0 in the early minutes of play.
