The illustrious career of Carli Lloyd is approaching its end. However, before the final chapter comes to its close, the local soccer legend got the opportunity to play in front of a hometown crowd one more time.
On Oct. 6, Lloyd and NJ/NY Gotham FC took on Washington Spirit at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Although she has previously played at the stadium -- as well as Lincoln Financial Field -- it was the first time that the Delran, NJ native played a match in the Philadelphia area with a club team. Lloyd was welcomed by a crowd of 9,532 who exploded with thunderous roars whenever she was near the ball.
“I know it was an inconvenience to some, moving from Red Bull to down here, but it truly meant the world to me,” Lloyd said after the game. “I cannot express how thankful I am for that.”
The game ended in a scoreless draw, but the cheering lasted through the night and well into the postgame ceremony when Lloyd addressed the fans.
“I had an amazing amount of family here, friends here, Delran people were here, my former teammates from my Medford Strikers club were here,” Lloyd said. “I wish I could have said hello to every single one of them, but it was just great to be a part of this atmosphere tonight.”
Lloyd and Gotham FC have five matches left on the regular season slate, including one final home game against Racing Louisville FC on Oct. 31. Lloyd also has two games with the national team remaining, both against South Korea. The first will be played on Oct. 21 in Kansas City, Kan., while the other is on Oct. 26 in St. Paul, Minn.