At 21 years old, Mallory Pugh is living every little girl's dream. Even her own. 

Pugh has had an unorthodox career path in comparison to most female soccer players. In 2017, the Colorado native made a decision to drop out of UCLA, where she lost her NCAA eligibility to pursue her dream of playing professionally in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit. Additionally, she was a crucial entity to the senior USWNT squad when she was called up in 2016 at age 18. 

On July 16, 1982, a legend was born. 

Carli Lloyd grew up in Delran, New Jersey, and attended Delran High School where she was an All-American soccer player not once, but twice. After her stellar high school career she took her talents to Rutgers University, where she became the first athlete to be named All-Big East four years in a row. Following her standout career, in 2013 she was inducted into the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni and was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2017. 

After claiming a FIFA Women’s World Cup winner’s medal, as well as the tournament’s Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards, there’s only one thing left for Megan Rapinoe to achieve this year: grace the cover of EA Sports’ upcoming FIFA 20.

It’s an idea that’s gaining steam, starting with a simple Twitter post from video game and entertainment media website IGN.

Carli Lloyd isn’t slowing down on the Women’s World Cup celebrations, especially with her birthday coming up next week.

Athletes are a different breed. They work their bodies to their physical peak with relentless training, feed themselves only the most nutritious food and have a competitive edge few can match. So it’s no surprise there are a number of famous cross-sport couples, especially in the world of soccer.