Carli Lloyd announces retirement plans after fourth Olympics with USWNT

Carli Lloyd announces retirement plans after fourth Olympics with USWNT

Carli Lloyd, one of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s longest-tenured and highest-scoring players, announced her retirement Monday.

Just weeks after scoring a brace – or two goals in one game – to help her team win an Olympic bronze medal in a 4-3 victory against Australia, Lloyd shared that she would end her professional playing career this fall.

Lloyd will play out the remainder of the season with the NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and compete in four friendly matches – two each in September and October – for the USWNT, her final games in a U.S. uniform.

“Every single day I stepped out onto the field, I played as if it was my last game,” Lloyd said. “I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long."

The 39-year-old forward and midfielder began her record-setting career in July 2005, when she made her international debut against the Ukraine. She has competed in 312 international contests, which is second all-time in U.S. and world history behind Kristine Lilly (354), who played seven more years than Lloyd.

She is one of only four international soccer players to play 300 or more matches for her country, following in the footsteps of Lilly and former teammate Christie Pearce Rampone (311).

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Lloyd is a four-time Olympian, making her debut at the 2008 Beijing Games. She won gold with the USWNT in both 2008 and 2012 and finished third in Tokyo after a disappointing fifth-place finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Lloyd scored the winning goals in the 2008 and 2012 gold-medal games. Internationally, she appeared in four World Cups, winning two, and has twice been honored by FIFA as the best women’s player in the world.

Her 128 career goals are fourth all-time in U.S. history and fifth all-time in world history. Despite playing mostly forward in the latter part of her career, she remains the highest-scoring midfielder in U.S. history.

“Carli Lloyd is a true legend,” said Vlatko Andonovski, head coach of the USWNT. “Her career was unique, and her success on the field is something all current and future National Team players should aspire to achieve. The way she approached her everyday training and career as a professional is truly impressive and I’ve been honored to coach her.”

Lloyd also played 12 years with six different teams in the NWSL. Gotham’s final match of the regular season is at home against the Racing Louisville FC on Oct. 31. Lloyd, a New Jersey native, will end her professional career in the state she grew up in, with Red Bull Arena less than two hours away from her hometown of Delran.

“To end my career knowing my family was able to be by my side and share this last chapter with me could not have been any more special," Lloyd said.

Contact Alyssa Hertel at ahertel@usatoday.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

Atlanta Falcons are first NFL team to have 100% of players vaccinated

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have become the first NFL team to have all of its players complete COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Falcons opened training camp with more than 90% of their players vaccinated, and they confirmed Monday they reached 100%. The NFL announced the Falcons were the first team to reach 100%.

Atlanta becomes the first NFL team able to have all its players not wear masks around the facility and eat and work out together.

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Meanwhile, defensive end John Cominsky has been placed in the concussion protocol and will miss this week's preseason game at Miami.

Cominsky was injured in the third quarter of Friday night's 23-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The third-year player played in 13 games, including two starts, and had 28 tackles and one sack last season.

The Falcons have released linebacker George Obinna and offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove and waived-injured wide receiver J'Mon Moore. The team also has waived defensive lineman John Atkins, cornerback Marcus Murphy and offensive lineman William Sweet.

The Falcons host the Miami Dolphins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET) for both teams' second preseason game.