Former U.S. women’s national team star Carli Lloyd was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday. In her speech, the two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist acknowledged the cost of success and apologized to her former teammates for being distant.
“I wasn’t there to make friends or follow the crowd. I was there to push myself to the very top while helping my team win championships. That drive often meant keeping people at a distance,” Lloyd said, donning her new red Hall of Fame blazer. “I avoided unnecessary drama. I rarely showed weakness, and vulnerability wasn’t something I allowed myself to express. I wouldn’t say I have regrets, but if there is one thing I do wish, I wish I had let more people understand me over the years.
“I operated like an emotionless machine. I was intense and I truly believed that the only way for me to survive in such a cutthroat environment was to be that way. So, to my teammates, I want to say this: I’m sorry I wasn’t always able to give you all of me.”
The 42-year-old, who was inducted in her first year of eligibility as part of the 2025 class, gave a 20-minute speech reflecting on her expansive career, sharing a vulnerable side rarely seen throughout her 17 years on the pitch.
“I finally had…
