Carli Lloyd gets backup on strong USWNT World Cup takedown

Carli Lloyd didn’t play in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but she continues to be among the top newsmakers at the tournament.

The recently-retired 41-year-old soccer star is finding more support for her criticism of the U.S. Women’s National Team after it was eliminated in the Round of 16 against Sweden — losing on penalty kicks after a scoreless 120 minutes.

This time, it comes from Apple analyst Taylor Twellman and NBC Premier League host Rebecca Lowe.

The pair discussed the U.S. debacle at the World Cup on the “Offside with Taylor Twellman” podcast and said Lloyd’s analysis was on point.

“She was doing her job and good on her for doing so,” Twellman said, according to Awful Announcing.

“Very few athletes, both men and women, when they retire, the red light comes on, they’re scared to same something because they’re friends, ex-teammates. But that’s the job.”

Lowe agreed, saying Lloyd “knows most of those women on the team and so it’s difficult because you go from being their friend to somebody who now has to speak very brutally, very honestly.

“I thought what Carli came out with, as she’s been talking about all World Cup has been really good. She has been so strong and it’s not easy to do. And there’s criticism toward her … but this is her opinion and the job is no longer to be a football player; it is no longer to be friends with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.”

Twellman added that Lloyd’s analysis sticks because of her resume, which includes two World Cup titles, two FIFA Player of the Year awards and two Olympic gold medals.

“You scored a hat trick in the Women’s World Cup final. You have more credibility than anybody on that desk, so say it!” said Twellman, a former goalie for the USMNT.

Lloyd started taking hits when she put her former squad on blast after eking its way out of the group stage with a pair of draws.

Lloyd said she was taken aback by the USWNT’s lack of drive and intensity, with players more focused on selfies than scoring in her view.

“I have never witnessed something like that. There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family,” Lloyd said.

“But to be dancing, to be smiling. I mean, the player of the match was that post. You were lucky to not be going home right now.”

Lloyd’s comments came after the U.S. closed out group play with a scoreless draw vs. Portugal.

The USWNT finished second in Group E with five points –– its worst-ever performance in a World Cup group stage — and turned in another lackluster performance vs. Sweden in the Round of 16.

This is the first time the USWNT has been eliminated before the semifinals at the Women’s World Cup.