Despite being the heavy pre-tournament favorites, the U.S. Women’s National Team haven’t exactly set the world alight in the group phase of the World Cup.
Tuesday saw the team struggle against an energetic Portugal side, who should have really won the match and sent the Americans home.
It was a match with very little positivity from the defending champions and Portugal even hit the post in injury-time, which prevented a goal that would have eliminated America from the tournament.
Given the team has performed in such an underwhelming manner, it was therefore a surprise to see the players dancing after the final whistle, with Carli Lloyd taking particular offense.
“I have never witnessed something like that,” Lloyd explained as part of her punditry duties with Fox Sports.
“There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family.
“But to be dancing, to be smiling. I mean, the player of the match was that post, you were lucky to not be going home right now.”
Lloyd worries for her former team in the knockout stage
America, despite the poor display, can now start to focus on the knockout phase of the tournament, of which they will be a part.
However, Lloyd believes the team’s attitude has shifted a lot since she retired and she holds genuine worry for the team in the coming rounds.
“It started to shit post-2020 and there are a lot of off-the-field things that are happening,” she continued.
“You never want to take anything for granted. You put on that jersey and you want to give it everything you have for the people who came before you, the people who are going to come after you and I’m just not seeing that passion.
“I’m seeing a very lackluster, uninspiring, taking it for granted. Winning and training and doing all that you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening.”
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