Lloyd, who also captained her side, scored a hat-trick, completed with a strike from the halfway line barely 15 minutes into her side’s astonishing 5-2 win, before handing over the armband to squad skipper Christie Rampone to lift the trophy with her fellow veteran, striker Abby Wambach. She had gone 5-0-2 in an interim role in 2012, was given the job on an interim basis again after Sermanni’s departure and then was appointed head coach in May 2014.
Advertisement
Lloyd became just the second American to win the Golden Ball, following Carin Jennings-Gabarra in 1991.
Lloyd was on fire for Team USA’s championship win. Great game @CarliLloyd! Your country is so proud of all of you. According to the World Cup hero, she blocked Hollins from coming to the game.
Lloyd actually finished tied with Celia Sasic with six goals for the tournament but the German was awarded the Golden Boot because she had played less minutes overall, though she said it was little consolation for not winning the tournament.
Ellis, who was born in the United Kingdom but began her footballing education after moving Stateside aged 15, told the BBC: “Oh heck yeah, I’ll take this one any day!”
Germany’s Anja Mittag was awarded the Bronze Boot after scoring five goals.
Lloyd just appeared on FOX Sports 1 and explained that her fiance Brian Hollins WANTED to come to the game… and made plans to attend… until Lloyd found out and shut him down.
Advertisement
The Golden Glove award was given to US goalkeeper Hope Solo, displaying her prowess as the best netminder in the world when tested.
