Podcast: Carli Lloyd on post-World Cup life, upcoming friendlies, NWSL

U.S. women's national team star and Women's World Cup Golden Ball winner Carli Lloyd joins the Planet Fútbol Podcast.

SI Staff | Aug 13, 2015

Podcast: Carli Lloyd on post-World Cup life, upcoming friendlies, NWSL /

The last time Carli Lloyd donned a U.S. women's national team jersey she put forth one of the most memorable World Cup performances of all time, netting a hat trick in 16 minutes and guiding the Americans to their third World Cup title.

The U.S. women return to action Sunday for the first time since lifting the trophy in Vancouver, and we were able to welcome Lloyd to the Planet Fútbol Podcast to catch up before the victory tour begins against Costa Rica in Pittsburgh.

What has life been like since achieving a new level of stardom and mainstream fame? How has she balanced her return to NWSL, where she won July Player of the Month honors, with all of the other demands on her time during the last month? When can the USWNT truly turn the page and focus on this winter's Olympic qualifying?

If Lloyd were to earn a place at the FIFA awards gala–and given her World Cup Golden Ball, she's a likely bet to be a FIFA Player of the Year finalist at the very least–she would have a chance meet Sepp Blatter, who has had notorious run-ins with both Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan. What might Lloyd say to the outgoing FIFA president if she had the chance?

WAHL: Seeds for Lloyd's World Cup final were planted long ago

We finish up by delving into the Seattle Sounders, who are mired in a slump but have made some late-season additions that could be enough to salvage the campaign; and touching on the Bundesliga, which kicks off on Friday and begins its run of being broadcast on Fox's network of channels.

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