Carli Lloyd has never been the type to let criticism slide. But when a random X user took a shot at her appearance during a World Cup broadcast, the two-time Women’s World Cup winner didn’t just ignore it. She fired back with a question that basically ended the conversation.
“I can tell you are a gentleman. Do you always disrespect women? Does it make you feel good hiding behind your keyboard?” Lloyd wrote on the platform, responding to a comment that went after her looks while she was on the air for FOX Sports.
The whole thing started because Lloyd, now 43, was doing what she’s paid to do: analyze soccer. And she wasn’t exactly soft on the USMNT. After the team crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 loss to Belgium, Lloyd called the performance out. She said the players looked “tentative” and “scared” against Belgium. She specifically pointed at Christian Pulisic, saying the veteran midfielder basically didn’t show up for the entire tournament.
That’s a strong take from a former USWNT star who knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage. But that’s also why FOX Sports hired her. Lloyd has never been afraid to say what she thinks. She’s one of the most recognizable voices in American soccer.
Still, some people online can’t separate the message from the messenger. And this time, the messenger is pregnant with her second child, due in September. She announced the pregnancy back in April with her husband, Brian Hollins.
Fans rallied around the icon
After Lloyd posted her response, the support came in fast. Fans called out the troll and made it clear they had her back. One user wrote, “These meatheads are afraid of an intelligent woman.” Another said, “You looked fabulous in all the cute outfits. I hope you can relax and nest before baby #2.” Someone else kept it simple: “You look amazing, Carli! Ignore the internet.”
It’s not hard to see why people ride for Lloyd. The woman has two Olympic gold medals, and she scored the game-winning goals in both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London finals. She was named FIFA Women’s Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016. That’s a resume that should make anyone think twice before taking a cheap shot from behind a keyboard.
But some people never learn. And Lloyd is not the type to let it slide.
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