PARIS (AP) Carli Lloyd wasnt thrilled to open the Womens World Cup on the bench for the United States. She accepted the role, but made no secret she wanted to start.
When the call came Sunday, Lloyd made it count with a pair of goals to lead the defending champions to a 3-0 victory over Chile. The win pushed the United States into the round of 16.
Lloyd was the hero of the World Cup in Canada four years ago when she scored three goals in the final against Japan that gave the Americans their third World Cup title. But she was on the bench when the U.S. opened the tournament, even though she scored later as a substitute in the 13-0 victory over Thailand.
I know that my ability is there, I know this is my best version of me. Ive just got to go out there and prove it, she said. Whether thats coming off the bench and making an impact, whether thats starting and getting the opportunity, which Im grateful for, Im just trying to make the most of it. I want to win.
Lloyd became the first player to score in six straight World Cup matches with her goal in the 11th minute.
She added another on a header off a corner in the 35th for her 10th career World Cup goal, which moved her into third on the U.S. list behind Abby Wambach (14) and Michelle Akers (12). At 36, she became the oldest player to have a multi-goal game in the tournament.
