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BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – AUGUST 06: Carli Lloyd of United States celebrates after scoring during the Women’s Group G first round match between United States and France during Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Mineirao Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
via Getty
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – AUGUST 06: Carli Lloyd of United States celebrates after scoring during the Women’s Group G first round match between United States and France during Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Mineirao Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
Carli Lloyd competed in her last Olympic Games in Tokyo. The soccer legend has represented USWNT at four mega-quadrennial games. After a successfully 16-year career, she will retire from the sport after USWNT’s upcoming friendlies.
She will still continue cheering for both US men’s and women’s teams from the stands, however. While the USWNT has dominated women’s soccer team for decades now, the same is not the case for the men’s team. Notably, the women’s team clinched the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Whereas the men’s team were disappointed, as they did not even qualify for the mega-quadrennial games.
The men’s team has not qualified for Olympics after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Looking to make a comeback, the team will compete in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Olympic legend Carli Lloyd sent a motivating message for her fellow soccer players.
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Words of wisdom by Carli Lloyd for men’s team
Three-time Olympic medalist and four times Olympian, Carli Lloyd is one of the most successful American soccer players. Although she couldn’t bring home the gold in her last Olympics, she did get the bronze.
The road to the FIFA World Cup has begun for the US men’s soccer team. Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd sent her wishes and words of encouragement to the men’s team.
Carli posted on her Twitter saying, “It all started now!! One step at a time. Let’s go boys!” She retweeted the post by US soccer men’s team Twitter post announcing the match details. The team’s handle wrote, “1432 days later, World Cup Qualifying is HERE! The #USMNT Opens the #Octagonal tonight”
It all starts now!! One step at a time. Let’s go boys! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/kywoQAqfJW
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) September 2, 2021
USMNT vs El Salvador
The US men’s soccer team went up against team El Salvador to start their campaign for the world cup qualification. Entering the match, the US team was the favorite to win.
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The #USMNT arrives at Estadio Cuscatlán for tonight’s #WCQ opener vs. 🇸🇻.
Team news soon! #SLVvUSA pic.twitter.com/q3oYvRMFbb
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 3, 2021
The US were without their star player, Christian Pulisic, and his absence was evident as the team had to settle for a draw in the qualification opener match with a scoreline of 0-0.
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The team will now return to action on Sunday, looking to earn all three points. Team USA will host Canada for their second qualifier in Nashville. Playing at their home ground should serve as an advantage, hopefully, the team USA will have better luck against the Canadians.
Also read: Megan Rapinoe Silences Retirement Rumors With Stellar NWSL Performance
