“Operated like an emotionless machine” is how Carli Lloyd recently described her playing days. Her reason, you ask? That’s because the USWNT icon believed it was the only way for her to “survive in such a cutthroat environment.” In fact, Lloyd even apologized to her former teammates, asking for their forgiveness if, at any point, she couldn’t be there for them. Now, just days later, Megan Rapinoe has stepped up—not only to accept the apology but to sympathize with Carli by recalling the “crazy” struggles she herself faced in the past.
Unapologetic has always been the nature of Lloyd as she mostly remained cold with her teammates. But after hearing Rapinoe’s confession, one may give her some leeway. “It was crazy,” began the former OL Reign (now Seattle)” on the latest episode of A Touch More podcast. “There was really a very long stretch of time.”
Well, this is a period that revolves around the years between 2015 to 2018, where the difference was that either players were making a borderline living playing soccer or making $30,000 to $70,000 playing in the league. Even while making the cut into the national team roster, the difference, as Rapinoe pointed out, was stark—“You’re doing all the same s**t, you’re doing everything the same except playing.”
How crazy it felt to be the 24th player doing every single camp and practice, while the 23rd got to play, is a competitive feeling that Pinoe totally understands. If that was Megan at the time, just imagine what Carli Lloyd must have been going through. “It takes a toll. You have to pay for all of the things that make you great. Being out of it and being able to self-reflect, it sounds like Carli is self-reflecting,” continued the former Lyon star.
(This is a developing story…)
The post Megan Rapinoe Responds to Carli Lloyd’s Apology While Highlighting USWNT’s Past Struggles: “It Was Nuts” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
