USA TODAY Sports
Each time Carli Lloyd takes the field during this summer’s World Cup, she won’t find familiar faces in the crowd.
That’s because she told all family and friends to stay home and not come to Canada.
“For me, it’s pure business mode so I can focus,” Lloyd said.
Last weekend the U.S. had its final send-off match at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, Lloyd’s home state. Her family and friends drove in to say their good lucks and goodbyes.
“I don’t bring my family into work,” she said. “We train every four years for this moment. They’re fine watching it on TV. They know my deal and they fully support me.”
Though all of her U.S. teammates feel the same way about this being a business trip, many take the opposite approach when it comes to family and friends.
Most of Megan Rapinoe’s family will be with her throughout the tournament.
“I need to step away a little bit more,” Rapinoe said. “I like people to come. It’s not like I’m spending a whole day with them, but I love sharing that experience with people who have been there along the way.”
Abby Wambach has 52 family members and friends coming to various games. Amy Rodriguez and Christie Rampone will have their husbands and kids around for support.
Lloyd’s philosophy is different.
Family came to her first World Cup in China in 2007.
The U.S. finished third and Lloyd wasn’t satisfied with her play.
No one came to the ‘08 Olympics in Beijing and Lloyd scored the winning goal in overtime for the U.S. to win the gold medal.
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In ‘11, Lloyd’s family went to Germany and the Americans lost the World Cup final in penalty kicks to Japan.
In the ’12 Olympics, Lloyd’s family didn’t go to London and Team USA won gold.
“I guess we kind of figured out the pattern,” Lloyd’s fiancé Brian Hollins said. “I realize when I go, you don’t win. Realistically when our family goes, after the game she’s thinking, ‘All right, how do I spend time with them? Do I do an ice bath or do I get it done quick and go hang out with the family?’ I don’t think that’s a good choice for her to have to deal with.
“So I think for her not having to deal with family, not having to deal with myself being there, she can just totally focus on what she needs to do to get the job done.”
Hollins, who said he prefers to watch all of Lloyd’s World Cup games by himself so he can concentrate and not be distracted by people talking, said he was initially disappointed when Lloyd told him not to come to Canada.
Hollins and Lloyd
“I totally get it, but at first I was like, I’m a distraction? That kind of hurts,” he said, letting out a small laugh. “But I didn’t take it personally. I totally get it. I get being in that professional atmosphere, it’s the little things that make the difference. If that’s what it’s going to take for her to win the World Cup, then I’m all for it.”
Hollins will still talk to Lloyd every day, be it via text or FaceTime.
If the Americans do make it to the final on July 5, however, Hollins might sneak a flight to Vancouver. It would be hard for him to stay at home and miss a game of that magnitude.
Plus, he wouldn’t even tell Lloyd he was going.
“She wouldn’t tell me not to come, but if I did, she would say not to tell her,” he said. “But if (not being there) is what it takes to sacrifice for her to win, then I’m all for it.”
