US women's soccer star Cari Lloyd 'got an offer to suit up for an NFL preseason game' after nailing a 55-yard field goal at an Eagles practice

  • US women's soccer star Carli Lloyd received an offer to kick in an NFL preseason game this week, according to her trainer James Galanis
  • She declined the invite, because the US women face Portugal on Thursday 
  • Lloyd was actually approached by multiple teams after video of her kicking a 55-yard field goal at a recent Philadelphia Eagles practice went viral
  • Galanis did not specifically say which NFL team made the offer to Lloyd 

By REUTERS and ALEX RASKIN, US SPORTS NEWS EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

US women's soccer star Carli Lloyd received an offer to kick in an NFL preseason game this week, but skipped the opportunity because the reigning World Cup champs have an upcoming exhibition against Portugal.

As her trainer James Galanis told Fox Sports, Lloyd was actually approached by multiple teams after video of her kicking a 55-yard field goal went viral. One team, which Galanis would not name, offered Lloyd a roster spot and a chance to kick in an NFL preseason game Thursday night.

'The one that called today, I don't want to say who it is, was willing to put her on the roster for their next (game). They were willing to put her on the roster,' Galanis said.

Lloyd attended a joint training camp practice last Tuesday and with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens on a break in their workout, she repeatedly drilled 40-yard field goals and even an attempt from 55 that went through - and then went viral, prompting conversation about the potential for a female soccer player to transition into professional football.

Soccer star Carli Lloyd nailed a 55-yard field goal at a recent Eagles-Ravens joint practice

While she was kicking at the Eagles' facility, the team was hosting a joint practice with the Ravens, which is why veteran Baltimore punter Sam Koch can be seen holding for Lloyd as she made her 55-yard attempt

Afterwards Lloyd was congratulated by kickers Justin Tucker (Ravens) and Jake Elliott (Eagles)

Afterwards Lloyd was congratulated by kickers Justin Tucker (Ravens) and Jake Elliott (Eagles)

A two-time World Cup winner, Carli Lloyd has 113 international goals for the US in her career

A two-time World Cup winner, Carli Lloyd has 113 international goals for the US in her career

Lloyd said earlier this week she was intrigued by the challenge.

'I know that I could probably do it,' Lloyd said, adding in a Sports Illustrated interview that NFL teams made inquiries after seeing video of her kicking session.

'The mindset I have, I think with practice, I know I have to work on my steps and my technique, but I think I could do it and do it well. It could be a huge pivotal moment. There is no reason why a woman could not do this,' she told NBCSports.com.

Lloyd, 37, is from New Jersey and said she has always rooted for the Eagles. The Tuesday kicking session came about in an impromptu manner but Lloyd is now considering whether the moment could be greater than she imagined because of the viral nature of the video.

'I'm laughing about it, but the more I think about it, this has the chance to be sort of a pioneering moment for women,' Lloyd told NBC.

Lloyd, who scored three goals en route to her second World Cup victory last month in France, hit several field goals, but topped out at 55 yards - nine yards shy of the NFL record set by then-Denver Broncos place kicker Matt Prater in 2013. 

Lloyd and the U.S. women recently played Ireland in a friendly, and will play again on Thursday

Lloyd and the U.S. women recently played Ireland in a friendly, and will play again on Thursday

While she was kicking at the Eagles' facility, the team was hosting a joint practice with the Ravens, which is why veteran Baltimore punter Sam Koch can be seen holding for Lloyd as she made her 55-yard attempt. 

Making the feat even more impressive is the fact that Lloyd's field goal split the uprights of a narrower practice field goal post, which has a shorter cross bar to increase the level of difficulty. 

After being criticized for celebrating too much in their 13-0 World Cup-opening win over Thailand, Carli Lloyd went with a sarcastic 'golf' clap in the Group F victory over Chile

After being criticized for celebrating too much in their 13-0 World Cup-opening win over Thailand, Carli Lloyd went with a sarcastic 'golf' clap in the Group F victory over Chile 

As many have pointed out, though, Lloyd did give herself a five-step approach as opposed to the typical three-step method, which is something she would need to adjust before playing in the NFL. 

While the NFL has never had a female player, women have played collegiately - primarily as placekickers and punters. Katie Hnida, for instance, became the first woman to score in a Division I-A bowl game in 2000 while kicking for Colorado, and later transferred to New Mexico, where she played three seasons. 

The NFL does have many former soccer (or 'football') players currently on rosters. Cleveland Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. said his soccer coach tried to convince him to play for the US junior national team when he was 14, but the All-Pro wide receiver ultimately chose the gridiron. 

More commonly, ex-soccer players have caught on as placekickers and punters in the NFL. 

In high school, now-retired kicker Josh Scobee played soccer with one of America's best, Clint Dempsey; and Hungarian-born Pete Gogolak revolutionized the position after converting to American football upon arriving in the country as a teenager in 1956. 

A two-time FIFA player of the year, Lloyd, a midfielder, has 113 international goals for the United States in her career.

Lloyd, from nearby Delran Township, New Jersey is not the only Eagles fan on the US women's team. Teammate Julie Ertz is married to Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. 

Lloyd currently plays for Sky Blue FC out of Piscataway, New Jersey, in the National Women's Soccer League.    

Lloyd, from nearby Delran Township, New Jersey is not the only Eagles fan on the US women's team. Teammate Julie Ertz (left) is married to Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (right)

Lloyd, from nearby Delran Township, New Jersey is not the only Eagles fan on the US women's team. Teammate Julie Ertz (left) is married to Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (right) 

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