Carli Lloyd played the last regular season game of her career on Sunday and went out in style with a goal to her name during a 1-1 draw vs. Racing Louisville. Lloyd hasn’t been the most prolific scorer in league play, but she was never going to miss this open header.
WHO ELSE BUT @CarliLloyd?! #NJNYvLOU | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/5wViVSfL0u
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 31, 2021
The goal was Lloyd’s fourth goal of the season in 14 appearances. She will retire at the end of the 2021 NWSL season.
Unlike most other leagues, the NWSL didn’t play the last games of the season all on the same day. Heading into the weekend it wasn’t certain that Gotham would qualify for the playoffs. However, Gotham was assured a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2013 the night before its final game due to Portland and North Carolina drawing.
First time since 2013 see you in the Playoffs fam #YERRRRRR pic.twitter.com/wfDAtxF1OZ
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) October 31, 2021
Gotham FC clinches the playoffs via a scoreless draw between Portland and North Carolina. That sure is a sentence that is a new one in the #NWSL.
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) October 31, 2021
With the playoffs already certain, Gotham needed a victory and the Washington Spirit to drop points to have home-field advantage in the quarterfinals. Neither of those results surfaced as Racing Louisville found an equalizer in the second half and Washington defeated the Houston Dash 1-0.
Despite not getting a result there was still smiles all around for Lloyd’s final regular season game. The USWNT great’s next and possibly last game will be on Nov. 7 against the Chicago Red Stars.
Even Goats take showers
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) October 31, 2021
A freaking adorable moment from @GothamFC honoring @CarliLloyd pic.twitter.com/proFYO1Uno
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) October 31, 2021
Name a better retirement gift we'll wait @GaetaneThiney @CarliLloyd pic.twitter.com/35EOuIm14J
— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) October 31, 2021
The 2021 NWSL playoffs are set pic.twitter.com/3nLMiMVyAE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 31, 2021
Upcoming NWSL Schedule
Quarterfinals
- Nov. 7: Chicago Red Stars vs. Gotham FC (3 p.m. ET)
- Nov. 7: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage (5:30 p.m. ET)
Semifinals
- Nov. 14: OL Reign vs. winner of Washington/North Carolina (3 p.m. ET)
- Nov. 14: Portland Thorns vs. winner of Chicago/Gotham (5:30 p.m. ET)
Final
- Nov. 20: TBD vs. TBD (Noon ET)
