The USWNT’s devastating World Cup loss to Sweden in penalty kicks has left fans in mourning. Despite the promises of a third consecutive win, the Stars failed to add a fifth title to their name. The USWNT players such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Vlatko Andonovski continue to receive criticism. Not to forget, American soccer legend, Carli Lloyd, also did not hold back in her criticism of the Stars’ World Cup performance.

The 41-year-old soccer veteran points out attitude concerns with the squad, which resulted in the team’s elimination in the RO16. Besides USWNT’s shocking World Cup elimination, Carli Lloyd paid respect to Colombia women’s soccer star, Linda Caicedo. The Colombian soccer star is just 18 years old and has already battled ovarian cancer to achieve her dreams.

Carli Lloyd’s shout-out to the Colombian soccer star

After the USWNT suffered its earliest Women’s World Cup exit in history, fans are questioning the underperformance of several players. Moreover, coach Vlatko Andonovski continues to receive criticism for his questionable management. Despite the USWNT’s earliest World Cup exit, the country’s legend, Carli Lloyd, paid respect to the Colombian Women’s soccer star.

A few days back, Lloyd shined the light on the USWNT and its eye-opening collapse at the World Cup RO16. Interestingly, the 41-year-old soccer veteran once again took the spotlight after paying respect to the 18-year- old Colombian soccer star, Linda Caicedo. The young star has won multiple individual awards throughout her career, including the Golden Ball at the 2022 Copa America Femenina.

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However, a few years back, it all seemed like a dream to the Colombian when she first got diagnosed with cancer. Three years ago, she was battling ovarian cancer amid the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic. When all hope seemed lost, Caicedo, who was just 15 when diagnosed, recovered from her illness and resumed her soccer career. Lloyd, in appreciation of Caicedo, retweeted a tweet from Fox Sports which depicted an interesting fact. In the last year, the young stalwart has been part of three knockout stages with Colombia.

Indeed, battling cancer and following their dream career takes a lot of courage and motivation. Furthermore, the Colombian superstar has now featured in four international tournaments and secured a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid. Not to forget, thanks to Caicedo’s contribution, Colombia reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for only the second time.

Despite going toe-to-toe with the Lionesses; Colombia’s World Cup journey came to an end against England in the quarter-finals. Therefore, Carli Lloyd’s heartwarming message to the 18-year-old soccer star received lots of support and love from fans.

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Apart from that, the 41-year-old veteran also criticized USWNT’s short run at the World Cup. Llyod also addressed the squad’s performance as ‘dancing’ on the field.

Carli Lloyd’s opinion on Megan Rapinoe and USWNT

Megan Rapinoe has been at the center of the storm surrounding the USWNT’s World Cup exit criticism. Rapinoe’s brutal penalty-kick miss in the loss to Sweden came under scrutiny after the tournament. The 38-year-old veteran was spotted laughing which raised several questions among fans.

Surprisingly, Carli Lloyd wasn’t pleased with the Stars’ performance and early exit from the tournament. “I have never witnessed – I am just seeing these images for the first time on the desk and I have never witnessed something like that,” Lloyd said.

“There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing and to be smiling?” she added.

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Indeed, USWNT’s World Cup elimination came out as a shock for fans, especially for Rapinoe, considering it was her final World Cup participation. Regardless, the 38-year-old soccer veteran finishes her career with two World Cup titles (2015 and 2019) in her name.