U.S Women's Soccer MVP, and Rutgers Alumni, Carli Lloyd could be back on the field before you know it. The 2015 FIFA Women's Player of the Year has been sidelined for several weeks with a Grade 1 sprained MCL. The injury was suffered on April 23, when Lloyd's team, the Houston Dash were taking on the Orlando Pride in Orlando, Florida. Originally the timetable for Lloyd's return was 3-6 weeks, however it was been 4 weeks and she is just now getting back to training.
Lloyd's personal coach, James Galanis took to Twitter yesterday to release the news that Lloyd will be returning to light training:
Good news is @CarliLloyd will start light training this week. Still far away from kicking a ball but can't wait to start the next phase.
— Coach James Galanis (@coachgalanis) May 23, 2016
U.S Soccer fans are elated to hear the news that Lloyd is on the path to recovery. The 2016 Olympic Games will be taking place in Rio, with the Soccer Tournament taking place from August 3-20. Lloyd will be a pivotal part of the U.S. team going into the Summer Games. She was the recipient of the Silver Boot, an award given to the second highest goals scored at the World Cup. Her three goals scored in the World Cup Final put the U.S. in the position to win the game, and in turn the World Cup.
Although Lloyd took advantage of her time off the field, both by doing interviews, and lobbing to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, regarding the fact that the players on the Women's U.S. Soccer team earn less money then the members of the Men's team. Lloyd has been at the forefront of this battle as it continues.
The U.S. will be competing in Group G during the Rio Games. The other countries in this group include New Zealand, Columbia, and France. The United States will take on New Zealand first on August 3, then France on August 6, the Columbia on August 9. It looks as if Lloyd will be able to join the team in time to compete for the Gold Medal.
Back at training this morning and all smiles. Next phase begins. @CarliLloyd pic.twitter.com/PKZmxmIYlB
— Coach James Galanis (@coachgalanis) May 23, 2016