Lloyd enjoys time in England
Dash star away from Manchester to help national team in friendlies
Carli Lloyd has been playing soccer for most of her life, so when she got to England for her short-term stint with Manchester City that part was not a problem.
Learning to drive on the opposite side of the road, on the other hand? That was something else altogether.
“I nearly turned down the wrong way once,” Lloyd said. “It is amazing what your brain gets used to.”
While Lloyd is still getting used to life in England, she has returned to the United States this week for a pair of friendlies with the women’s national team against Russia. The U.S. won the first game 4-0 on Thursday in Frisco. The second game is Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium, where Lloyd plays home games with the Dash. Keeping up from afar
Lloyd, 34, is playing with Manchester City through the Football Association’s women’s Spring Series and the UEFA Champions League. With help from Lloyd, who scored the only goal in the away leg of the quarterfinal series, Manchester City is into the semifinals of the Champions League.
If Manchester City advances to the final, Lloyd would be occupied until early June. At this point, the tentative plan is to return in the middle of that month with her potential 2017 Dash debut coming June 17 against the visiting Orlando Pride. The Dash at that point will have 16 of 24 regular-season games remaining.
Lloyd said she has been following the Dash from overseas and especially liked the goal scored by Rachel Daly in a preseason game against Portland on Sunday.
“We’ve got some great players in place,” Lloyd said. “I don’t think it’s been a question of personnel over the years. We have some great players. Just a matter of believing in that and getting the results on the field. I wish them well and hope they get off to a good start.”
The U.S. national team, on the other hand, has not gotten off to a good start this year. The Americans fizzled out of March’s She Believes Cup with a 1-1-1 record. The closing 3-0 loss to France especially was an eyesore for those who have become accustomed to seeing the U.S. win or draw almost all its games.
Lloyd said there were several factors for the poor results, including new players being introduced to the team and that France, Germany and England are farther along in their development since they have the European Championships coming this summer.
“We didn’t all just become bad soccer players in a span of a week,” Lloyd said. “It’s a process. There are times when you’re on a high and everything is going well. We all know you can’t stay there forever. You have to come crashing down at some point. There is no concern on my end.”
After Sunday’s game, Lloyd will be concerned with Manchester City’s next fixture against Liverpool in the semifinal round of the FA Women’s Cup on April 17. Five days later, Manchester City will begin the nine-game Spring Series.
The biggest competition is the Champions League. Manchester City will face Orlando Pride star Alex Morgan and Lyon in the semifinals. The final will be played on June 1 in Wales. Too good to pass up
Throughout Lloyd’s stay, she enjoys worldclass facilities that include 17 fields and various other features she said keeps her there all day.
“It’s an experience that you can’t get unless you make the move there,” Lloyd said. “It was obviously a tough decision missing out on a bit of the NWSL season, but I have been loyal to every league over the years.
“Sometimes, you have to do what is best for your career. At this stage of my career, I have this opportunity to go there, play in Champions League, the FA cup and see something different.”