NEW YORK: United States’ women’s soccer superstar Carli Lloyd will retire at end of the year after more than 300 international appearances

The 39-year-old’s triumphs include two World Cups and two Olympic golds along with 128 goals in 312 appearances.

She will play out the remainder of the National Women’s Soccer League season with NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Lloyd said: “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.

“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.”

Lloyd, the second-most capped American behind only Kristine Lilly (354 appearances), appeared at four World Cups and four Olympic Games.

She scored a hat-trick in just 17 minutes in the 2015 World Cup final against Japan, and was part of the squad as they defended their title in 2019.

######