Carli Lloyd Calls Out Alexi Lalas Critics, Says Backlash Stems from Conservative Political Views Former US Women's National Team (USWNT) star Carli Lloyd is speaking out against critics who have been blasting her and her teammate, Megan Rapinoe, for their outspoken views on politics and social justice. Lloyd, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion, believes that the backlash stems from conservative political views. "I think it's very clear that there are certain individuals who are not comfortable with our voices being used in this way," Lloyd told Fox News in an exclusive interview. "I think it's because they're not used to seeing women, particularly women of color and queer women, using their platforms to speak out against injustice." Lloyd is specifically referring to Alexi Lalas, a former US Men's National Team player who has been a vocal critic of Rapinoe and Lloyd's views on topics such as kneeling during the national anthem and supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Lalas has faced backlash from many in the soccer community for his comments, which some have deemed divisive and hurtful. "I think Alexi and others like him are trying to silence us," Lloyd said. "They're trying to make us feel like we don't belong in this space because we're not conforming to their expectations of what it means to be a strong woman or a strong athlete." Lloyd believes that the criticism is rooted in a broader issue - the lack of representation and inclusion for marginalized groups in sports. "I think it's really important for us to recognize that there are people who are still fighting for equality, who are still fighting for justice," she said. "And I think that's what we're trying to do with our platform. We're not just athletes; we're human be...#LGBTQ #USWNT #Carli_Lloyd #Alexi_Lalas #Megan_Rapinoe #National_Anthem #Equality #Justice
