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USWNT Vs New Zealand: 3 things we learned – Carli Lloyd bosses it… again

By Drew Hubbard

ALICANTE, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: Christen Press of The United States celebrates after scoring her sides first goal with her teammates Rose Lavelle and Alex Morgan during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and The United States at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on January 22, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
ALICANTE, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: Christen Press of The United States celebrates after scoring her sides first goal with her teammates Rose Lavelle and Alex Morgan during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and The United States at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on January 22, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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USWNT, Carli Loyd
The US’s Carli Lloyd celebrates after scoring a goal against Belgium during the International Women’s friendly football match between the US and Belgium at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on April 7, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) /

2. Carli Lloyd still has it

Fans of the Red, White, and Blue will never forget Carli Lloyd, more specifically her hattrick against Japan in the 2015 World Cup final. Her appearances on the field are filled with cheers in remembrance of what herself and the rest of the squad were able to achieve four years ago. But with time comes change, and for Lloyd’s case, it means a different role coming off the bench.

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With the USWNT boasting a stacked roster, especially in the midfield, world-class players are going to be left out of the starting XI. And Lloyd finds herself on the wrong side of that equation heading into this summer’s tournament. But she has reminded fans that she still has it even four years later.

Defenders are having a hard enough time with the starters for the USWNT, so when Jill Ellis can throw out a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year in the 60th minute, it creates a perfect goal-filled storm for her side.

Lloyd’s first touch of the match was a tap in off a Tobin Heath cross. That told the whole story. But even beside her two goals, the bursting midfielder continuously got on the end of crosses and made darting runs to open up space in what was an incredible 30-minute appearance.

Lloyd’s presence on the field will be important in this World Cup, especially if she’s able to make a difference off the bench as she has in the past two matches. Having game-changers off the bench is crucial in any international tournament. There are few better for that role in the world than Lloyd.

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