“I think it’s going to be a stretch honestly.” For context, this is what Carli Lloyd thinks about the USWNT’s chances of winning gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. On one side, Emma Hayes and Co. have undoubtedly shown they have everything that it takes to go all the way in the summer games. Yet, on the other hand, why exactly the USWNT icon isn’t backing her very own nation for the win?

Though Lloyd proclaims there always remains a ‘possibility‘ for the USWNT to win the gold—given that the American ladies have made it to the last four—it may be difficult for them due to a key reason. In the July 24 episode of the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,’ Lloyd said:

Despite Hayes and Co.’s zeal to win the first prize, which they last won 12 years ago, Lloyd believes that Team USA’s transition period rules them out as the favorites. This turns out to be quite ironic as days ago, when Hayes looked to focus on underwhelming performances, USMNT legend Alexi Lalas had torn apart the ex-Chelsea boss. “You don’t get to make excuses because you’re going through a transition period,” Lalas said.

Before the summer games began, Hayes herself asserted that winning the Olympics could be ‘Harder.‘ However, it certainly shouldn’t be a worry now, considering the results her side has produced, proving Lloyd’s predictions wrong.

Emma Hayes & Co. are one step away from proving Carli Lloyd’s prediction wrong

Further questioning USWNT’s Olympics chances, Carli Lloyd had foretold the favorites to win the gold. “Spain is definitely the team to beat so I’m a little surprised as to how they’re not the favorites to win. I also think Japan, Germany, and Colombia even, may have a good run so it’s going to be a really tough tournament, it’s a quick turnaround,” she predicted before the knockout stages. However, this prophecy has mostly turned out to be wrong.

USWNT itself did the honors of knocking out Japan from the quarter-finals on Saturday. Not to mention their remarkable group stage run, winning all three games against Zambia, Germany, and Australia. Meanwhile, Colombia fought until the end with a 2-2 score against Spain, but La Roja prevailed in the shootout. Other results saw Brazil knockout host nation France with a narrow win, while Germany too won the shootout against Canada after a stalemate.

Perhaps Lloyd must have judged Hayes’ side from just 1-2 games. However, it’s clear that USWNT is keen to return home with gold. The semifinals now see them having a Group B re-match with Germany while Spain faces Brazil. Let’s see how it turns out to be for the American ladies at this stage.