AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: The US Women's National Soccer Team drew 0-0 with Portugal on Tuesday at the FIFA Women's World Cup, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd criticized them for celebrating. The USWNT was seen on camera in Auckland, New Zealand, rejoicing at the tie that earned them a spot in the tournament's knockout stages. The celebration came after the US barely averted losing when a shot from Portugal struck a goal post, but Lloyd, a Fox Sports analyst who previously played for the World Cup-winning team, blasted it.
"I've never witnessed something like that," Lloyd stated on Fox. "There's a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing, smiling — I mean, the player of the match was that post," Lloyd, who quit soccer in 2021, claimed. "You’re lucky to not be going home right now." A Twitter user reposted a clip of the players dancing and interacting with fans after the match and Lloyd's commentary on the scene, adding the caption, "USWNT legend Carli Lloyd calls out Megan Rapinoe for being a horrific leader. Ms. Rapinoe has been so bad for U.S. soccer. It’s great to see USWNT legends and winners call Rapinoe out."
Why is Carli Lloyd slamming the USWNT?
Carli Lloyd, a former USWNT player, slammed the team’s behavior after their 0-0 draw against Portugal in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Lloyd was not impressed with the team’s reaction after the match, where players could be seen taking photos with fans and dancing on the pitch following the final whistle. She also slammed the team’s performance on the field, dubbing it "predictable" and "uninspiring," as per Fox Sports.
"I made some comments when I retired in 2021 that I felt that there was a shift within this team, within the federation, within the culture, the mentality. The importance and meaning of winning has changed; what has come from winning has become more important. And you can never take any situation for granted," she stated. She continued to explain, "Every time you step out onto that pitch it’s not a guarantee you are going to win, it’s not a guarantee you are going to win a World Cup. And today was simply uninspiring, disappointing; they don’t look fit, they are playing as individuals. And the tactics are just too predictable and really just uninspiring."
'I wouldn't be happy'
The two-time FIFA Player of the Year continued by stating that she was "all for positivity," adding, "But at the same time, the cheering, the dancing — I've got a problem with that because I wouldn't be happy." She made a comment about the players' body language and said, "I really don't know if they're upset with how they played and the results of this World Cup."
'Like you have a person beef'
Fans' reactions were divided. A user tweeted, "All the haters on Carli here are shocking to me. Typical of fans that don't like to hear the truth." Another fan claimed, "Typical of fans that are okay with status quo just like the Berhalter fans." While another fan remarked, "So Carli, the fans come 8,000 miles to watch their team play, spend thousands of dollars probably their entire discretionary budget and you want the players to stick their nose up and walk away, just because they had a bad game? Take it out on the fans? Seriously?" Another user called Carli "conservative" and noted, "Dancing and smiling after advancing to the knockout stage not allowed because you only tied this game huh. Please Carli. It's like you have personal beef with the individual players you used to play with because they stood for things you wouldn't bc you're a "conservative".
