Carli Lloyd

“I think, over the years, I've earned the respect of my teammates as someone who first got on the scene and wasn't internationally ready and has just continued to put in the work.”

“I really hate drama. It's draining; it's mentally draining. It's a waste of time.”

“When I first joined the team, I was playing with the likes of Mia Hamm, Shannon MacMillan, Tiffeny Milbrett - all those big-time players. It was very intimidating. I had some of these players' posters on my wall growing up, and now I was able to play with them.”

“Comic-Con is really cool. It's different. I like to people-watch. I like to see the costumes.”

“If I've learned anything in my career, it's that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy. That's just the way it is.”

“Getting recognized and doing shoots and signing on partnerships and signing on deals, that's all great, and I'm so appreciative of that, but it's more the reward that's the most satisfying. I know the importance of working hard, and I appreciate pretty much everything that has come my way; I don't take any of it for granted.”

“I usually eat a salad for lunch and before a game since it keeps me feeling healthy and energized on the field. I love piling on the toppings: the more colorful the better! I usually do nuts, fruit and avocado, but I also mix up my creations with different toppings and lettuces.”

“I don't want to be known for someone that's good-looking. I want to be known as someone who is one of the best midfielders. That's my thing.”

“I'm not having to go outside and switch the role model hat on. It's me, and it's important for me to leave that legacy to help inspire younger players because I didn't have a role model growing up.”

“As a player, you just want to focus on controlling the controllables.”

“I went from a player who was never fit to a person who actually worked hard to get myself in shape.”

“I think recovery is around the clock. Are you sleeping enough? Are you hydrating enough? Are you stretching? Are you eating well? Pretty much everything that I do is a reflection of how I'm going to feel on the field. I take great pride in getting in an ice bath after training and just taking care of myself.”

“I'm loyal. I'm real. I'm not afraid to say what I'm thinking.”

“If you have a dream, it's definitely achievable through hard work, through dedication, sacrifice, everything.”

“It's always hard to deal with injuries mentally, but I like to think about it as a new beginning. I can't change what happened, so the focus needs to go toward healing and coming back stronger than before.”

“I don't put on makeup when I'm getting ready for a game, because why would I? I am gearing up for battle. How is mascara or eyeliner going to help me win?”

“Fitness, defending, the mental stuff - those were all weaknesses of mine. And I turned those into strengths.”

“I love shopping! It's my release sometimes.”

“I know that I'm a natural attacking player. I love to attack. I love to play freely; I love to combine and play through balls. That's the nature of my game.”

“I think that what we do out on the field is oftentimes a little bit better than what men do. I don't think that we flop around as much. I think we're tough. I mean, I've got battle wounds on my legs from the turf and sliding. And we're gritty. And we're feisty. And I think that I would never back down from a guy.”