For the second year in a row, U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Carli Lloyd has been named FIFA’s Women’s World Player of the Year. Here are five things to know about the WNT’s co-captain.
Work Ethic
Even though Carli Lloyd has always been a soccer junkie – the kid who always polished her cleats, and was at the field playing for hours – she has said she still “had no idea what it took” to get to the next level.
Post-college, Lloyd began embracing a work ethic and commitment to fitness she’s now known for. She’s said that the first time she was told to run for fifteen minutes, her response was, “Uh? Fifteen minutes straight?” Now, Lloyd is known for her morning pre-game runs and dedication to making an impact for 90+ minutes. She also thrives on intense work outs, those that will take place no matter how much sunshine, rain, wind or snow she encounters.
Jersey Strong
A native from Delran, New Jersey and a Rutgers University alum, Lloyd is simply tough as nails. That’s physically tough, as the numerous black eyes and cuts during games have shown, but also mentally tough, certainly an asset in the highly competitive and sometimes cruel world of international soccer.