One. Last. Ride.
Last Wednesday, the Carli Lloyd Farewell Tour made its most important stop … right back to where it all began.
In front of 10,000 fans on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Delran, N.J.’s very own took the field at Subaru Park for one final homecoming game. Before Lloyd officially calls it quits on her legendary soccer career, the 39-year-old did not disappoint.
Just Women’s Sports‘s Jesse Louie was on hand to capture the historic moment in Gotham FC’s 0-0 draw with the Washington Spirit.
Playoff energy was in the air as Gotham and Washington battled it out with seeding on the line. The back-and-forth match went the full 90 minutes without a score, sending both clubs home with a point. The Spirit currently lead Gotham by one point in the NWSL standings.
After the final whistle blew, Lloyd gave a passionate speech, thanking everyone who’s had a hand in her soccer journey, and received a celebratory Body Armor bath courtesy of her Gotham teammates.
“I’m going to miss the big moments, the World Cup, the Olympics,” Lloyd said. “I’m going to miss this, the grind every single day.”
We’ll miss it, too.
My entrance into sports photography began years ago on the sidelines of Yurcak Field to see Lloyd at work. As a fellow New Jersey native and Rutgers alum, I’ve cherished each and every time I’ve been able to capture her on the pitch. To be on the ground for her final stop on the East coast is something I will never forget.
Jesse Louie is the Senior Social Producer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Instagram @jesselouie.