Can Carli Lloyd replace Vlatko Andonovski as USWNT head coach?
After a hard-fought battle in the round of 16, the U.S. Women’s National Team was eliminated in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tie to Sweden marks the earliest exit for the United States in the Women’s World Cup. Also, it ends the United States’ chances for the first team to win the tournament three straight times.
And it would surprise no one to see a new head coach for the United States ahead of this next cycle, including the Olympics and another World Cup in four years.
Earlier this week, ex-USWNT captain Carli Lloyd called out her former teammates for celebrating a tie to Portugal after a below-average performance. Lloyd holds her former team to a higher standard despite the current USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski deflecting Lloyd’s comments toward his team.
Fans on social media our lashing out toward the Americans’ below-average performance in the 2023 World Cup, requesting Lloyd to take over Andonovski’s role as USWNT head coach. Does Lloyd have the credentials to take over as head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team?
Fire Him 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #carlilloyd as head coach ✌️👍 pic.twitter.com/Vx1X4puXvw
— Country First ! (@angelicilda) August 6, 2023
Lloyd’s Qualifications
Lloyd is a Fox Sports analyst and might be considered for the USWNT head coaching spot if Andonovski gets let go after an early tournament exit. The former Rutgers Women’s Soccer standout knows what it takes to win (she has won two World Cups and has three Olympic medals), and USWNT needs an experienced leader to get them over the hump.
The New Jersey native from Delran, New Jersey, has 134 career goals and 64 assists while appearing in 316 games for the USWNT. Lloyd is known for performances in high-pressure moments, scoring game-winners at Rutgers, in the SheBelieves Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Olympics gold medal games, and the 2015 World Cup final.
Will Carli Lloyd be the next coach of USWNT?@CarliLloyd #carlilloyd #uswnt #nikepro pic.twitter.com/JlqtdACg6f
— The Painted Coin 𝕏 (@paintedcoin) August 6, 2023
During her four years at Rutgers, Lloyd is the only Scarlet Knight to earn First-Team All-Big East Honors four times in her career (2001-2004). Also, she got named the 2001 Big East Rookie of the Year. The Rutgers all-time points (117) and goals (50) leader can be a strong candidate for the possible USWNT head coach position.
Lloyd traveled the world with the National Team and played in two U.S. Women’s professional leagues. She played for the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue, and Atlanta Beat in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. After playing in the WPS, she joined the National Women’s Soccer League and played for the Western New York Flash, Houston Dash, and Sky Blue FC. Her last season came in Manchester City, where she joined the Champions League in 2017.
