VANCOUVER — Carli Lloyd knew what to do when Abby Wambach stepped onto the field for her last World Cup game ever.
It was the 79th minute and the United States had all but won it with a secure 5-2 lead as Wambach came on for Tobin Heath. That’s when Lloyd, who had scored three goals in the first 16 minutes, took off her captain’s armband and gave it to Wambach.
Lloyd had never officially been named the U.S. captain, but with Wambach and Christie Rampone not playing as much this tournament, she happily embraced the role.