PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While U.S. women's soccer fell short of another Olympic gold medal, they did capture bronze by holding off Australia, 4-3. In the process, one of this area's most decorated athletes made history, as her future with the squad remains uncertain.
Carli Lloyd, 39, of Delran, New Jersey, became the U.S. Women's National Team all-time Olympic goal scorer — notching her ninth and 10th in the team's victory over Australia — passing fellow soccer legend Abby Wambach.
She would have had a hat trick if an offsides call didn't disallow a goal — which was a nagging theme for the U.S. in this tournament. This was also Lloyd's 312th appearance for the U.S. Women's National Team, which moved her ahead of Christie Rampone for second most ever. Thursday morning's telecast said her first goal was her 127th international goal, thus the second one would be 128.
Megan Rapinoe, 36, scored the first two goals for the U.S. — including one directly from the corner on a corner kick — also known as an Olimpico.
While the what's next remains unknown — it was very fitting that Lloyd and Rapinoe played a huge role in Team USA's bronze medal match victory.