CARLI LLOYD has opened up on the ‘no mercy’ mentality she encountered as a rising star in the USA women’s team.
And the former WSL ace reckons the current crop of starlets in the US national side have it much easier than the players of her generation.
US women’s captain Carli Lloyd says there was ‘no mercy’ shown during some of the national team’s practice sessionsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lloyds, 38, best known to Man City’s fans for scoring during their 4-1 Women’s FA Cup final win in 2017, made 294 international appearances.
And the two-time World Cup winner believes the current USA squad is far more welcoming.
Lloyd told The Players’ Podcast on BBC Sounds: “Small-sided five-v-fives were ultra-competitive and I would say the US team has always been competitive. There was no mercy.
“When I first got on to the national team – I think it was a camp in 2004 – I remember it was Mia Hamm, Briana Scurry, (Julie) Foudy, it was all of them.
“With the five-vs-five sessions, nothing can prepare you for the moment when you give the ball away or don’t pass to them and get yelled at.
“It so much harder back then and I tell these young players, ‘you guys have it much easier’ because it is a much more welcoming environment for them to come into now.
“Whereas before you were like fighting and clawing your way on your own island, but that is what made the team great for so many years.”
Lloyd, who made six appearances for City, believes the US team has still retained the competitive streak that helped them win four World Cups between 1991 and 2019.
But the US skipper believes the current set-up allows younger players to ease their way into the side.
Carli Lloyd believes the current US squad is more welcoming to its younger playersCredit: Reuters
Lloyd added: “It’s different now, but it is still great. The competitiveness is still there, but it’s a little bit different and a little bit of an easier transition for some of the younger players.
“I think the older players make them feel a bit more welcome.”
“But once we step in between those lines, it can get chippy.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
