Sydney Leroux gives her hopes for the future of the NWSL
Angel City forward Sidney Leroux shares her thoughts on what the future holds for the National Women’s Football League.
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Her intense dedication to craft helped former US women’s soccer team star Kari Lloyd into the Hall of Fame.
However, in her lead speech on Sunday, the two-time World Cup champions acknowledged the price she paid on an individual level when she pursued her goals.
“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t unable to give you all of my things all the time,” Lloyd said, speaking to her former teammate. “I’m not saying I have regrets, but for many years, if there’s one thing I want, I wanted more people to understand. I was active like a machine without emotions. I’m really strong and I believe that the only way to survive in such a cutthroat environment is to be that way.”
Lloyd, who retired in 2021 after 316 appearances for the USWNT, was one of five people inducted into the US Football Hall of Fame at Sunday’s ceremony in Frisco, Texas.
Her qualifications were perfect. In addition to being a large part of the two World Cup Championship teams, she scored the winning goal in the Gold Medal Games at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 games in London. Lloyd was also two-time FIFA Player of the Year. This is the second American (along with Miaham) who has won international awards multiple times.
However, Lloyd’s steel strength opposed some of the other free spirits of the team, including Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
She admitted that retiring as an active player and becoming a mother also gives her a new perspective.
“I always knew I wanted a child, but I didn’t know how this little baby could completely change me as a person,” Lloyd said. “Unlike my playing career, I existed. I allowed myself to be vulnerable, emotional and totally involved in every moment I spend with her.”
After all, Lloyd concluded that all training is worth it as long as she cuts off her from her teammates and family.
“I’ll try again just like I did on occasion,” she said. “There was nothing I like more than winning, but winning costs me and I paid that price.”
