Exactly three months from April, the month of July will mark the 10th anniversary of Carli Lloyd’s legendary performance in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final in Vancouver. Yes, the very game where she scored an emphatic 13-minute hat-trick—including a daring strike from midfield — having helped the USWNT secure a thumping 5-2 win over Japan. While there’s still time before the decade-long milestone is celebrated, the coming weeks will see Lloyd honored with her induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame this May—an achievement the icon forward admits she never imagined receiving.
Too much modesty from the two-time World Cup winner, don’t you think? Well, that’s how Carli’s nature has been over the years. Having enjoyed a stellar career not just on the international and domestic front but also securing many individual laurels, this is the least of the achievements that she can be presented with. The former NJ/NY Gotham FC star will be getting her induction on May 3 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The feeling of getting such a recognition? Hear out from the women of the hour herself. “I never really would have thought that this would happen,” said Lloyd in an interview with National Soccer HOF. “My career was not one that was meant to go the way that it went and I was never really the next best thing. But I just kind of grinded away.”
Citing the ’99ers as her biggest inspiration, Carli expressed her gratitude for being able to represent the U.S. Women’s National Team by giving her all, day in and day out—through training, playing games, and most importantly, honoring the crest. “To be inducted into the Hall of Fame along so many other great athletes, is an amazing dream come true,” emphasized the former Manchester City loanee.
“Simply an honor.”@CarliLloyd on what it means to join her heroes in the Hall of Fame!
Lloyd will be enshrined on May 3rd at this year’s induction ceremony in Frisco, Texas. pic.twitter.com/9AjMrkYtiD
— National Soccer HOF (@soccerhof) April 15, 2025
Notably, the National Soccer Hall of Fame had announced back in December that Lloyd had been elected in her first year of eligibility on the Players Ballot. She was chosen from a pool of finalists that featured names like Yael Averbuch, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Cat Whitehill, Amy Rodriguez, and many more. Ultimately, both Carli and Nick Rimando earned their place through the player ballot.
Meanwhile, Chris Armas and Mary Harvey were selected via the veteran ballot, with former MLS executive Mark Abbott securing his spot through the builder ballot. Either way, it is quite a tremendous honor for the former Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash versatile player.
Lloyd further expressed her honor of also being able to wear her nation’s red, blue, and white colors 316 times between 2005 to 2021, while simultaneously notching 134 goals as well. That explains all the individual achievements she has managed to garner during this period. It included the Golden Ball for being the best player as well as the Silver Boot as the 2nd top goal scorer in the 2015 World Cup.
That same saw Lloyd win the CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year and IFFHS World’s Best Woman Playmaker. Aside from being named the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, she won the 2008 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, and the IFFHS CONCACAF Best Woman Player of the Decade 2011–2020.
On the collective front, the 2013 NWSL Shield with Western New York Flash as well as the FA Women’s Cup with Manchester City in the 2016–17 season sumps up her domestic winnings. Meanwhile, the international front also includes winning two Olympic gold and one bronze medal, six Algarve Cups, four SheBelieves Cups, and two CONCACAF Women’s Championships.
Yet, talk about the humility Lloyd exhibits; the former midfielder turned forward insists she never played for all these laurels.
Carli Llyod wishes to play in this era!
By representing her own generation, Carli Lloyd successfully managed to etch her name into the annals of U.S. Soccer history. However, deep down, the former American international always carried a small part of her that wished she could experience the modern game the way the new generation does — especially considering how fast the sport has evolved.
SAINT PAUL, MN – OCTOBER 26: United States forward Carli Lloyd 10 waves to fans after playing her final game against Korea Republic as a member of the US Women s national team, Nationalteam at Allianz Field on October 26, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. United States defeated Korea Republic 6-0. Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: OCT 26 Women s – USA v Korea Icon164211026002
“Looking back, I do wish I were younger and playing in this era,” Lloyd said as per The Athletic, before passing on the torch to the next generation. “The game has exploded — more investment, more support, more competition. We did our part. Now it’s their turn.”
While it’s something that remains her dream, the forward does appreciate the current circumstances that saw her achieve her very own full-circle moment with the Hall of Fame achievement. Denying to have played just for the greed of money, fame, and glory, Carli said, “I played purely for the love of the game.”
This is exactly what she cautioned to the upcoming talents of the women’s game about. She urged them to shift their focus away from chasing ‘the glitz and the glamour’ and instead to remember that it all starts with loving the game first.
Don’t believe her? Read all of her achievements again, ladies and gentlemen. That alone is a testament to the fact of how devoted Carli Lloyd was to the game. Rest, the laurels were just automatic accessories. So take notes! As for her recent achievements, we extend our heartiest congratulations to the legend of the game!
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