How To Watch USWNT Legend Carli Lloyd Ride Off Into The Sunset

The announcement Monday that Carli Lloyd, 39, the most decorated soccer player and clutch performer in the history of the United States would be retiring wasn’t altogether unexpected.

Lloyd already defied the expectations of many by even pushing for inclusion on the U.S. Olympic team for Tokyo in 2020, then did it again when those Olympics were pushed back a year. She remained a vital part of the team right through its bronze medal-winning match against Australia, scoring a brace in that 4-3 win.

“When I first started out with the National Team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the most complete soccer player I could be and to help the team win championships.” Lloyd said Monday in a statement. “Every single day I stepped out onto the field, I played as if it was my last game. I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long.”

As such, envisioning the USWNT without Lloyd is virtually impossible to fathom for a generation of soccer observers. But indeed, it is possible to see Lloyd play her actual last games in the coming months.

U.S. Soccer announced Monday that it will play four matches — two in September, two in October — to give Lloyd four final sendoff opportunities in the uniform she’s already worn 312 times, second all-time only to Kristine Lilly.

And Lloyd plans to complete the season with her club team, NJ/NY Gotham FC, meaning that there are already five more chances to see Lloyd at home on the schedule — August 29 vs. the Orlando Pride, September 4 vs. the Chicago Red Stars, September 25 vs. the North Carolina Courage, October 6 vs. the Washington Spirit and her regular season home finale October 31 vs. Racing Louisville.

Lloyd will also be on the road against Portland August 25, Kansas City September 10, Racing Louisville October 1, Orlando October 9 and North Carolina October 17.

“To my coaching staff, support staff, and owners, thank you for everything you have done for all of us,” Lloyd said. “To my teammates, I love you all and it has been an incredible journey being able to play with you and share the field together. Let’s continue to make this push to win an NWSL Championship!”

A word of caution for those attempting to get those tickets — the four international matches could interfere with those on the NWSL schedule.

Nor are these likely to be the sum totals of Carli Lloyd’s remaining matches — Gotham is currently third in the NWSL standings, and a playoff run could give Lloyd more opportunities to score critical goals in games that matter, the hallmark of her career.