An expanded field of 32 teams at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand means that more players and teams will see the international spotlight and they no doubt want to prove they belong.
Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will be the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics. Hubbard is among five athletes confirmed on New Zealand’s weightlifting team for the Tokyo Games.
Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup in what FIFA suggests could be the last time the tournament is played every four years.
Eight countries have stayed in the bidding contest to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Belgium and Bolivia dropping out. FIFA says all candidates will be inspected.
The 36-year-old Lloyd scored twice and Alyssa Naeher got the shutout, helping the United States beat New Zealand 5-0 in a World Cup series send-off match on Thursday.