Houston Dash midfielder and USWNT star Carli Lloyd returned to the fold on Monday morning at Houston Sports Park but at what cost to team unity or her reputation? Outwardly, players welcomed her back without any visible reservations. Before the season began, head coach Randy Waldrum made it a point to try and build more cohesiveness between Lloyd and her teammates knowing that she would be gone for the Rio Olympics. Her extended absence and the reasons or lack of reasons have put whatever unity was built in jeopardy.
Noticeably absent for17 days since the USA side was eliminated from the Rio Olympics, the veteran spoke to the media following training but did nothing to make anyone feel better about her disappearing act just when the Houston Dash needed her most.