Carli Anne Hollins (née Lloyd; born July 16, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player. She won the 2015 and 2019 editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup with the United States, finished second at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and scored the gold medal-winning goals in the finals of the 2008 Olympics and the 2012 Olympics. She also won the bronze medal with the U.S. at the 2020 Olympics. She was named FIFA Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Lloyd made 316 appearances for the U.S. national team, placing her second in caps. She ranks third in goals and fifth in assists for the team. During the United States' 5–2 win over Japan in the 2015 Women's World Cup Final, Lloyd became the first player in history to score three goals in a Women's World Cup final and the second player of any gender to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final. At the conclusion of the tournament, she received the Golden Ball, the Silver Boot and the Best Goal awards.
During her club career, Lloyd played for the Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC and the Atlanta Beat in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), she won the league championship with the Western New York Flash, and also played for the Houston Dash and Gotham FC. In 2019, Lloyd was the highest paid female soccer player in the world. Her memoir, When Nobody Was Watching, was published in 2016.
Born to Stephen and Pamela Lloyd, Carli was raised in Delran Township, a suburban community in New Jersey. She has a brother, Stephen, and a sister, Ashley. She began playing soccer at age five. At age 17, she attended the opening U.S. match of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup at nearby Giants Stadium, which inspired her to play for the national team.
Lloyd attended Delran High School from 1997 to 2001, where she played soccer under the tutelage of Rudy Klobach. As a high school athlete, she was known for her exceptional ball control and skill at distributing the ball from the midfield. During her senior year, she scored 26 goals and served eight assists while captaining her team to an 18–3 record. The Philadelphia Inquirer named her Girls' High School Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000. She was named to the Star-Ledger All-State First Team twice and received 1999 and 2000 Parade All-American honors. In 2000, she was named the Courier-Post Player of the Year and the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association (SJSCA) Midfielder of the Year. While in high school, Lloyd also played for the semi-professional W-League teams Central Jersey Splash (1999), New Brunswick Power (2000), and South Jersey Banshees (2001).
Lloyd attended Rutgers University from 2001 to 2005, and played for the Scarlet Knights women's soccer team under head coach Glenn Crooks. During her freshman season, she started every match and was the team's leading scorer with 15 goals. She was named to Soccer America's All-Freshman Team and was the first Rutgers player to earn Big East Rookie of the Year honors. As a sophomore, Lloyd was the team's leading scorer for the second consecutive season, with 12 goals and seven assists. The same year, she was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, widely considered the highest accolade for collegiate soccer players. During her third season with the Scarlet Knights, she scored 13 goals and served 2 assists, and was named a Big East Academic All-Star.
In the summer of 2004—just prior to her senior year—Lloyd played one match for the semi-professional W-League team New Jersey Wildcats. As a senior at Rutgers, she scored 10 goals and served one assist. She was named the 2004 Big East Midfielder of the Year, and was the first Rutgers athlete to be named First-Team All-Big East for four consecutive years. Lloyd ended her college career as the school's all-time leader in points (117), goals (50), and shots. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Sport Studies. In 2013, she was inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
2009–2011: Women's Professional Soccer
In 2008, Lloyd signed with the Chicago Red Stars of the newly launched Women's Professional Soccer league. During the league's inaugural season, she scored two goals: one during her team's 4–0 win over the Boston Breakers on April 25, and the other during a 3–1 victory over the Los Angeles Sol on August 2. The Red Stars finished the season in sixth place in the league, with a 5–10–5 record. Lloyd was a free agent for the upcoming 2010 season; she signed with her home state club, Sky Blue FC, winner of the 2009 WPS championship. In April 2010, Lloyd slipped and broke her ankle during a match against the Red Stars. The injury kept her off the field until September, when she returned for two games.
In December 2010, Lloyd signed with the expansion team Atlanta Beat for the 2011 season. The team's head coach James Galanis described Lloyd as a "fantastic midfielder", and said he expected her to bring professionalism to the team. The Beat finished their first season in last place with a 1–13–4 record, with Lloyd scoring two goals in ten appearances.
2013–2014: Western New York Flash
In January 2013, Lloyd joined the Western New York Flash in the new National Women's Soccer League as part of the NWSL Player Allocation. After recovering from a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the year, Lloyd made her debut for the Flash on May 12, during the team's 2–1 win over FC Kansas City. She scored her first goal for the Flash in a match against her former club, Sky Blue FC, as the Flash won 3–0. During a match against the Washington Spirit on June 28, Lloyd scored a hat trick as the Flash achieved a 4–0 victory. She was named NWSL Player of the Week for her performance.
Lloyd finished the 2013 season with 10 goals, the third-highest goal total in the league. The Flash finished first in league play during the regular season with a 10–4–8 record, and advanced to the playoffs. During the Flash's semifinal match against Sky Blue, Lloyd scored two goals to secure a 2–0 win. The Flash were defeated 2–0 by the Portland Thorns FC in the championship final.
2015–2017: Houston Dash and Manchester City
On October 16, 2014, Lloyd was traded to the Houston Dash in exchange for Becky Edwards, Whitney Engen and a third-round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.
In February 2017, Lloyd joined the English club Manchester City on loan, for the FA WSL Spring Series. The club finished second in the Spring Series and won the 2016–17 FA Women's Cup. Lloyd scored a goal in the final, a 4–1 victory over Birmingham City. Lloyd's final appearance for City came on May 21, when she was ejected from the game for elbowing an opposing player in the face. The three-match ban she received for violent conduct covered the remainder of her loan period.
2018–2021: Sky Blue FC (Gotham FC)
In January 2018, Lloyd was traded to Sky Blue FC, whose name would be changed to NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021. Lloyd scored 4 goals in 18 appearances for the team in 2018, including the only goal in a 1–0 victory over the Orlando Pride, which was Sky Blue's sole win of the season. She was named to the 2018 NWSL Second XI.