Olympics

Phil Sheridan

Phil Sheridan: Lloyd scores both goals as U.S. wins soccer gold

LONDON - If it's the Olympic Games, it must be Carli Lloyd.

On the biggest possible stage, in front of the biggest crowd ever to watch an Olympic women's soccer game, Lloyd scored both goals for the United States in a 2-1 victory over Japan for the gold medal.

Four years ago, in Beijing, Lloyd scored the winning goal in the Olympic final against Brazil. The opponents change, the continents shift, but Lloyd comes through when gold is on the line.

"This is huge," Lloyd said. "In a soccer player's career, you just don't know how many Olympic opportunities you're going to get. For me to have a second gold medal, it's a dream come true."

This one was hard-earned. A year ago, Lloyd missed a penalty kick in the World Cup final against this same Japanese team. Japan won the Cup, leaving Team USA with a grudge to nurse for 13 long months.

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