Legend’s farewell tour concludes with a dominant performance as teammates deliver a perfect send-off in Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota – The United States Women’s National Team provided the perfect farewell gift for retiring legend Carli Lloyd, delivering a commanding 6-0 victory over South Korea at Allianz Field on Tuesday night. The emotional triumph marked the end of Lloyd’s illustrious international career and served as a stark contrast to the team’s previous goalless encounter in Kansas City, where the Americans’ 22-game home winning streak had ended just five days earlier.
An Emotional Farewell
While Lloyd didn’t find the back of the net in her 316th and final international appearance, the night belonged entirely to the 39-year-old icon. Fans chanted her name throughout the evening, with one supporter holding a sign reading “One More World Cup, Please?” – a testament to the impact she’s had on American soccer.
The defining moment came in the 65th minute when Lloyd was substituted to a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd of 18,115. The veteran forward broke down in tears as she left the field, removing her cleats and pulling off her jersey to reveal another shirt with her married name, Hollins, emblazoned on the back.
Lloyd’s emotional exit capped off a farewell tour that began with her spectacular five-goal performance against Paraguay in Cleveland, followed by another goal in the 8-0 victory in Cincinnati.
Redemption After Frustration
The victory represented a complete turnaround from the Americans’ previous meeting with South Korea, where they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances. This time, the USWNT’s attacking prowess was on full display, as they bounced back from their rare goalless performance to deliver the kind of dominant display that has defined their recent form.
The contrast was stark – where goalkeeper Yoon Young-Guel had frustrated the Americans with eight saves in Kansas City, this time Kim Jung-Mi was beaten six times despite making eight saves of her own.
Horan Opens the Floodgates
Lindsey Horan, who had inherited Lloyd’s iconic No. 10 jersey following the previous match, opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a deflected effort that found its way into the top right corner. The goal, Horan’s 24th for the national team, set the tone for what would become a comprehensive victory.
The significance of Horan wearing the No. 10 jersey – passed down from Lloyd after their previous encounter – added another layer of emotion to the evening, symbolizing the changing of the guard in American women’s soccer.
Building the Lead
An own goal from Cho So-Hyun just before halftime doubled the Americans’ advantage, giving them a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break. The goal came from sustained pressure that had been missing in their previous encounter with the Koreans.
The second half saw the floodgates open as the USWNT pulled away from their opponents with a display of clinical finishing that had been absent in Kansas City.
Star Performers Deliver
Alex Morgan, who replaced Lloyd in the 66th minute, wasted no time making her mark with a goal just three minutes later. The striker, who had scored a hat-trick in the previous match against Paraguay, demonstrated her continued importance to the national team setup with another clinical finish.
Megan Rapinoe added the fourth goal in the 85th minute, while Rose Lavelle – who had been instrumental in the 8-0 victory over Paraguay with three assists – scored in the 89th minute to make it 5-0.
Lynn Williams capped off the scoring in stoppage time, completing a comprehensive victory that extended the USWNT’s home unbeaten streak to 62 matches.
Lloyd’s Legendary Legacy
Lloyd’s retirement concludes one of the most decorated careers in women’s soccer history. Her 316 international appearances make her the second-most capped player in world football, while her 134 international goals place her third in USWNT history behind Abby Wambach (184) and Mia Hamm (158), and fourth all-time globally behind Canada’s Christine Sinclair (187).
The New Jersey native’s career highlights include two World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals. Her most iconic moment came in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final against Japan, where she scored a hat-trick in the opening 16 minutes, including a spectacular strike from midfield that will be remembered as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.
Lloyd also became the first American to score in four different Olympics, with her 10 Olympic goals representing the most for any U.S. player. Her golden goals in consecutive Olympic finals (2008 and 2012) cemented her status as one of the greatest clutch performers in international soccer.
Tactical Dominance Restored
The victory demonstrated the USWNT’s ability to learn from their previous frustrations against South Korea. Vlatko Andonovski’s side dominated possession with 67.4% of the ball and created 29 shot attempts compared to South Korea’s two, showing the kind of territorial control that had been present but unrewarded in their previous meeting.
The Americans registered 13 shots on target, forcing Kim Jung-Mi into eight saves as the South Korean goalkeeper worked tirelessly to prevent an even larger defeat. The USWNT earned eight corner kicks compared to South Korea’s zero, highlighting their complete attacking dominance.
Historical Context
The 6-0 victory, combined with Lloyd’s retirement, marked the end of an era for American women’s soccer. Lloyd’s career spanned some of the most successful periods in USWNT history, and her farewell performance provided a fitting conclusion to a journey that began in 2005.
The result also demonstrated the continued strength and depth of the American program, with multiple players stepping up to deliver goals in Lloyd’s honor. The performance showed that while Lloyd’s retirement marks the end of one chapter, the USWNT remains well-equipped for future success.
Professional Career Continues
While Lloyd’s international career has concluded, she will finish her professional career with NWSL’s Gotham FC, which had two games remaining in the regular season at the time of her international retirement. Her 12-year professional career spanned stints in both the defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league and the National Women’s Soccer League.
Key Statistics
Match Dominance:
- Possession: USA 67.4%, South Korea 32.6%
- Shots: USA 29, South Korea 2
- Shots on Target: USA 13, South Korea 1
- Corner Kicks: USA 8, South Korea 0
- Saves: Kim Jung-Mi 8, Campbell 1
Goal Scorers:
- Lindsey Horan: 9′ (24th international goal)
- Own Goal (Cho So-Hyun): 45′
- Alex Morgan: 69′
- Megan Rapinoe: 85′
- Rose Lavelle: 89′
- Lynn Williams: 90+2′
Lloyd’s Career Numbers:
- International Appearances: 316 (2nd all-time)
- International Goals: 134 (3rd in USWNT history, 4th globally)
- Olympic Goals: 10 (most for U.S. player)
- World Cup Titles: 2 (2015, 2019)
- Olympic Gold Medals: 2 (2008, 2012)
Looking Back at the Series
The two-match series against South Korea perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of international football. After being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw that ended their historic winning streak, the Americans responded with a dominant performance that showcased their resilience and quality.
The contrast between the two matches – from goalless frustration to six-goal celebration – demonstrated both the challenges of international competition and the USWNT’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity.
The End of an Era
As Lloyd walked off the field for the final time in a USWNT jersey, she left behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of American soccer players. Her journey from a young player making her debut in 2005 to becoming one of the greatest players in the sport’s history serves as a testament to dedication, perseverance, and excellence.
The 6-0 victory provided the perfect send-off for a player who gave everything to the national team program and helped establish the United States as the dominant force in women’s international soccer.
With Lloyd’s retirement, the USWNT turns the page to a new chapter, but the foundation she helped build – alongside her legendary teammates – ensures that American women’s soccer will continue to thrive for years to come.
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