Fans at Red Bull Arena shared their thoughts and emotions about Carli Lloyd. (Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Not many athletes get one Farewell Match.

Carli Lloyd?

She already has three and probably will get a fourth.

No. 3 came Sunday as the U.S. women’s international played her final game at a member of NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena.

After Gotham FC played Racing Louisville FC to a 1-1 draw, Lloyd spent a good half hour talking to and signing autographs for the fans.

“People have driven and flown from all different states to come watch me play in this last little farewell a couple of months,” she said. “I’ve seen the posters. I’ve seen the jerseys, the shirts. Although I wish I could get to every single person, it’s nearly impossible or I’d probably be here all night signing.

“It’s been really amazing. I’ve tried to afterwards and do as many autographs as I can. Our team’s got a little get together tonight. So I want to wrap things up and get a you know, get dressed and get ready for that and be able to kind of hang out with my teammates and stuff. So yeah, it’s just been spectacular, and I’m very appreciative of all the support.”

Lloyd has savored her Farewell Tour, which has included a game in Chester, Pa., near her hometown of Medford, N.J. and in St. Paul, Minn., her last USWNT match last week.

“I feel like I’ve been on this never-ending farewell game tour, but it’s been really amazing,” Lloyd said. “I’m very grateful. A lot of work has gone into putting on these farewell matches and just really appreciative of all the people who have helped make this truly special. It’s been an incredible journey; 17 years playing professional soccer.

“Obviously ended my career and the other night with the U.S. team. There’s just something different about playing for your country representing the crest for so long. It was incredible, this emotional moment, about being able to end here on a home match farewell game, having the game in Philly as well has been really really special on the club level. So great.”

It’s not quite the end for the 39-year-old Lloyd, as she and Gotham FC will play at the Chicago Red Staras in the National Women’s Soccer League quarterfinals.

“We’re in playoffs, which is fantastic,” said Lloyd, who scored Gotham FC’s lone goal. “I think today was a great display of what we can do as a team and when we kind of have that balance of playing and being able to get in behind teams. We’re definitely really threatening.”

During her postgame tour of RBA, someone gave Lloyd a baguette, although she had not taken a bite of it prior to the press conference.

“Well, I should have actually grabbed the baguette and started eating it during this press conference because I’m incredibly hungry,” she said. “The baguette better not have been stolen out of my locker. I’m going to be going back into my locker and it’s in my bag. I plan to take a nice little bite out of that after I finished up with you guys.”:

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.