Carli Lloyd Claims USWNT Has Lost Its Edge Following Loss to Mexico – “Teams Used To Lose the Game Before They Played Us”

The USWNT settled for a diminishing second-place finish in Group A of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup after losing to Mexico on American soil. Mexico outclassed the hosts with a two-goal display- thereby also ending the US’ 33-match clean sheet record in CONCACAF competitions. Shortly after the loss, USWNT’s World Cup-winning former midfielder Carli Lloyd called out the current national team. Lloyd has seldom shied away from doing so. In today’s statement, she has lamented the team’s downfall since 2020.

“Yes! Teams used to lose the game before they played us because of fear and intimidation…as the complacency and lack of hunger crept in during 2020 it has given teams the confidence to know the US is beatable so that edge is lost,” wrote Carli Lloyd on X in reply to a user who said “American supremacy is a myth.” By the complacency that crept in during 2020, Lloyd refers to the USWNT’s disappointing 3rd-place finish at the 2020 Olympics. Thereafter, USWNT’s southward journey peaked when they exited the World Cup in the RO16 in 2023.

Lloyd had gone all guns blazing on USWNT when they lost the World Cup in 2023. Now, the US team’s prospects look bleak in yet another major international competition. Though the US had a blazing start to the competition at home, the fire totally ran out against their neighboring rivals, Mexico. USWNT’s forward fleet misfired, despite housing star forwards such as Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Alex Morgan. Mexico, on the other hand, was ruthless in their attack and played an easy game compared to Twila Kilgore’s side.

The US intimidated rivals in Carli Lloyd’s day, but Mexico’s potent attacks terrify them now

Carli Lloyd won two World Cups and two Olympic Gold Medals with the USWNT. That is why she said what she said. From the game against Mexico, it is evident that the USWNT is not so capable of intimidating anymore. The American team possessed the ball for most of the game. Nonetheless, they attempted seven times, with merely a shot on goal. Meanwhile, Mexico dominated the attack with 11 attempts, of which three were on target.

READ MORE: USWNT’s Impressive 33-Match Streak Snapped by Mexico’s Breakthrough Goal in CONCACAF W Gold Cup

Their efforts paid off, as the US defense succumbed twice to Mexico’s attacking might. Anyhow, the tournament is far from over for the American Women’s team. Thanks to top-quality early wins, Alex Morgan and Co. finished second in Group A, earning a berth in the upcoming quarterfinals. The USWNT’s next opponent will only be decided after the rest of the group games.

With the knockouts taking place on March 03 and 04, USWNT has an opportunity to prove critics wrong in front of a Los Angeles crowd.

READ MORE: “Absolutely Shameful and Embarrassing” – USWNT’s Disappointing 2–0 Loss to Mexico in CONCACAF W Gold Cup Riles Up American Fans