OTTAWA — Carli Lloyd sprinted toward the right sideline, her face contorted in joy, before she aimed a flying kick at the corner flag. Her teammates, giving chase close behind, mobbed her in celebration, forming a jubilant tornado of white jerseys and neon green socks.
Fifty minutes had gone by in the United States’ World Cup quarterfinal match against China on Friday when Lloyd took flight near the penalty spot and drilled a powerful header into the lower corner of the goal to break a scoreless tie.
It was a cathartic moment, a turning point in the game.