KSU Soccer Stadium- Kennesaw, GA — Nearly a decade ago, Atlanta Beat Midfielder Carli Lloyd was at a crossroads. She didn't feel that she was getting the most out the talents that allowed her to finish her collegiate career at Rutgers as the all-time leader in points (117) and goals (50). While attempting to earn a spot on the Under-21 National Team, an extremely determined and undoubtedly talented Lloyd decided that she needed to find a way to get more out of her passion for soccer.
"I kinda hit a plateau. I was really upset. I remember I was on the phone just in tears. Just not understanding why I couldn't become an impact player when all these people are telling me I have the tools and the talent."
It was then that her father approached James Galanis. The same James Galanis that is currently Carli Lloyd's head coach with the Atlanta Beat of the WPS. At that time however, Galanis ran the United Soccer Academy in Lumberton, New Jersey and was working with Lloyd's brother. Galanis agreed to work with Carli, and did so free of charge.
"I probably owe him a gazillion dollars for everything he's done for me. He needs to just keep a running tab," Lloyd said of her cost-free training. Working with Galanis was the exact remedy that Lloyd's confidence and professional career needed. They continue to work together multiple sessions a day, for hours at a time.
When asked about their first session working together, Lloyd said that, "There was something about him. The way he spoke to me, the way that he got into my head. Everything clicked."
Obviously, the "clicking" continues. Lloyd began to see results within months of applying the skills that Galanis' rigorous training had taught her. Lloyd was recently named to the US National Team competing in the 2011 Women's World Cup of soccer. She's not just on the roster, she's expected to start as the Central Midfielder.
"We set out on a mission to improve her entire game and all the credit goes to her," Galanis said. "She listened. She made the sacrifices. She worked hard every day. She made the changes in her life and started to see results. And before you know it, she's on the full team [US National Team] and doing well."
Lloyd is quick to return all the credit to her long-time and now current coach- "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here at all. I've put in the work, but if it weren't for him, there'd be no way I'd be here. He was so positive. He believed in me, he just knew exactly the right way to get me motivated."
Now, in just over two weeks, Team USA kicks off the Women's World Cup in Germany. No one is more prepared than the soon-to-be 29 year old Lloyd.
"People may think I'm a freak. People may think ‘does this girl ever rest?' Does this girl ever stop thinking about the game? But no! I have a short window of time to play in my career. I have a lot of goals."
With the help of an equally determined Coach/Trainer in Galanis, along with an incredibly demanding regimen, Lloyds ability to score goals could be her biggest asset in achieving them.
WSBTV
