Lloyd, US can make new mark
Another title wouldn’t be just a repeat of the first
LYON, France — Carli Lloyd says the success the United States is having at the Women’s World Cup in France isn’t an extension of the 2015 title run.
The so-called 2019ers are their own team.
“We don’t really bring up the 2015 World Cup that much because it’s done, it’s in the past. The focus is just on Sunday,” said Lloyd, who was the breakout star four years ago in Canada.
The Americans will be vying for their second straight title and fourth overall when they face the Netherlands in the final at Stade de Lyon. More than just having its own identity, this U.S. team is different than those of the past because it has more versatility and depth, Lloyd said.
“Any player that’s called upon can step into these roles and play it,” she said. “Whereas I think in previous years you had kind of a core squad and some game changers that may come in and make a difference. But we’ve got a ton of depth on this team, which is fantastic.”
The top-ranked U.S. team has already faced — and overcome — two big challenges on the way to the final. First, the Americans downed No. 4 France 2-1 in the quarterfinals in Paris and then beat No. 3 England 2-1 in the semifinals.
The No. 8-ranked Dutch, who made the World Cup field for the first time in Canada, understand what they’re up against.
“They have a really good team. Amazing team. So we have to be ready for the game,” defender Stefanie van der Gragt said following the semifinal win. “Nowwehave a party. Tomorrow we talk about the USA.”
Lloyd was the star four years ago in Canada with three goals in the first 16 minutes of a 5-2 final victory over Japan. She has a far different role in France, mostly coming off the bench.
She started in one match, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over Chile in the group stage. Lloyd celebrated with a golf clap, answering the critics who Golf: Scott Piercy went on a late birdie binge en route to a 9-under 62 and the first-round lead at the inaugural 3M Open on Thursday in Blaine, Minnesota. Adam Hadwin and Hideki Matsuyama were two shots back at 7-under 64 at the TPC Twin Cities. ... Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington shot a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Zander Lombard in the opening round of the Irish Open in Lahinch. With Rory McIlroy skipping the tournament as he prepares for the British Open at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland, the 47-year-old Harrington quickly became a crowd favorite in his national open, which he previously won in 2007. ... One year after Yu Liu shot her lowest round on the LPGA Tour at Thornberry Creek in Oneida, Wisconsin, she did herself one stroke better and tied the course record with a 10-under 62 for a one-shot lead in blasted the U.S. team for enthusiastically celebrating every goal in the 13-0 rout of Thailand in the tournament opener.
The Americans have drawn attention for their celebrations throughout France, including Megan Rapinoe’s “Are You Not Entertained?” pose against France and Alex Morgan’s tea sipping versus England. As a result, the players have been branded as brash and even arrogant.
Lloyd, who turns 37 next month, is the oldest player on the team and has 280 national team appearances with 113 goals. This is her fourth World Cup.
In addition to her hat trick in Canada, Lloyd scored both goals in the gold-medal match against Japan in the 2012 Olympics. She became the only player to score winning goals in consecutive Olympic finals: At the Beijing Games in 2008, she scored in overtime for a 1-0 victory against Brazil.
In France she’s playing off the bench as more of a “super sub” to intimidate opponents and provide fresh legs. Lloyd has been blunt from the beginning that she’s not pleased with the new role. She still feels like she could start and be a differencemaker.
But she understands that changes were inevitable as the 2019ers forge their own legacy
“New journey, different journey,” she said. “We’ve just got to go after it.” the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. Liu had a one-shot lead over Jeongeun Lee and Yealimi Noh.
NFL: Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton suffered multiple injuries in a car crash that required his left arm to be amputated. Agent Malki Kawa confirmed the injuries in a tweet. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alex Camacho said the truck Norton was driving crashed into a concrete barrier and overturned early Thursday on State Road 836 near Miami.
Soccer: Frank Lampard was hired as the first English manager of Chelsea in 23 years, making a return to the club where he is the all-time record scorer from his trophy-laden 13 years as a player. The appointment of the 41-year-old Lampard is something of a gamble — he has had just one year in senior management at second-tier Derby last season. ... Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands forward Arjen Robben announced his retirement. The 35-year-old Robben was thought to be looking for a new club after playing his last game for Bayern in May. ... The CONCACAF Gold Cup final is getting the marquee matchup it’s lacked since 2011: United States vs. Mexico. Christian Pulisic had two goals in the second half to lead the U.S. over Jamaica 3-1 in Wednesday night’s semifinal, prompting the crowd in Nashville, Tennessee, to chant “We Want Mexico!” in the closing minutes. The Americans face El Tri on Sunday night in Chicago in the finale of a tripleheader of finals. The U.S. women play the Netherlands in the World Cup final at Lyon, France, and Brazil faces Peru for the Copa America title at Rio de Janeiro.