Tag: FIFA Women’s World Cup

Watch: USWNT, Rutgers legend Carli Lloyd previews the FIFA World Cup

Carli Lloyd talks about the United States national team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Now working with Fox Sports, former United States international Carli Lloyd believes that the Americans enter this FIFA World Cup with a target on their collective backs. Lloyd, born and raised in New Jersey, got her career started as a midfielder at Rutgers.

That career culminated in over 300 international appearances, three World Cup medals (won two) and three Olympics (two gold medals, one bronze).

Now working as an analyst for Fox, the broadcast partner for the tournament, Lloyd knows and understands the pressure on the United States. The Americans have won the last two World Cups. A win in this tournament would be the first-ever three-peat in World Cup history.

“It’s business as usual. The approach is always that the US is the favorite, the No. 1 team in the world. Everyone wants to go out there and beat them, there is a target on their back,” Lloyd said in a preview for Fox this week.

“They’re most likely not talking about a three-peat or really talking about the history they could potentially make. Everybody just knows that, they know in the back of their mind that history is at stake.”

The United States are the unquestioned favorites in this tournament. But there are a lot of other factors at play that could derail their plans for a parade.

This is the most balanced World Cup in the history of the women’s game as the standard of play and competition globally continues to rise. There are also time zone issues with this World Cup be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

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“Ultimately it comes down to one game at a time. You can’t get ahead of yourself. The moment you get ahead of yourself is probably the moment you get knocked out or something. It’s really important to first and foremost come out first in their group – that’s their first battle,” Lloyd said.

“Once they hopefully do that, the next challenge is going to be making sure that they get past that knockout round.”

At Rutgers, Lloyd was four times named All-Big East. While with the Scarlet Knights, she played for the United States U21 national team.

 

Former Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy cites New Jersey roots ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup

Former Rutgers women’s soccer goalkeeper Casey Murphy is heading to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Rutgers women’s soccer will be represented at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this month by Casey Murphy. The goalkeeper, born in New Jersey, has been an influential part of the team over the past five years.

Born in Bridgewater, the 27-year old Murphy is one of the most accomplished players to ever be developed by the Rutgers soccer program. Currently a standout goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, Murphy made her international debut at the senior level in 2021 in a friendly at Australia.

Heading into the FIFA Women’s World Cup, she has 14 appearances with the national team. She played four years at Rutgers, with her final season in 2017 culminating with being a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, given to the top player in college soccer.

Murphy is likely the backup to incumbent starter Alyssa Naeher, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the New Jersey native get rolled out during the World Cup.

In a recent interview with North Carolina station WRAL, Murphy talked about this moment in her professional career as fulfilling a dream she has had from a young age.

“I remember watching the national team from a really young age. A lot of big names came out of New Jersey, and that’s where I was born and raised,” Murphy told WRAL.

“Now, being on that team, yeah, it’s pretty awesome.”

This is now the fifth straight World Cup where Rutgers women’s soccer has had an alum on the United States national team roster. The previous four World Cups, beginning in 2007, saw former Scarlet Knight Carli Lloyd as part of the selection.

As a goalkeeper, Murphy must be ready to not just spearhead the defense, but potentially face some pressure-packed moments on the world’s greatest stage for the sport. It is something she says she relishes.

She does so on a team that is favored to yet again win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It’s a lot of weight on your shoulders,” Murphy said during her interview. “You’re the last line of defense, and you don’t want to be the one to make a mistake.”