Carli Lloyd and Hope Solo ruffled some feathers on social media after the debut episode of the latter's podcast launched earlier this week. The two former USA internationals discussed the recent equal pay settlement and the shift in culture in the international camp towards the end of their careers.Lloyd has since appeared on FOX Soccer's 'State of the Union' Podcast to discuss the issues she picked up on while on international duty.Under the reign of Jill Ellis, the US national team heavily consisted of senior players, with few young talents being given an opportunity. "I know that experience matters, I know that veteran leadership matters but what we had in the last several years was not a good culture," Lloyd said. "The mentality changed and it became toxic and it wasn't good."So what do you do? You've got to change things up and like everybody, I'm going to be really interested to see how this is all going to unfold and what the roster is going to be going into the qualifying. Hopefully they qualify and get to Australia."The USA will be looking to secure their spot at the 2023 Women's World Cup. They recently won their fifth SheBelieves Cup title after seeing off Iceland, Czech Republic, and New Zealand.

A change in team culture

Lloyd said "a lot of different things" contributed towards the "toxic" environment in the USWNT camp but mainly highlighted what she described as a switch in commitment from the players.

"I think what made this team so successful throughout the years is we stepped in between the lines and we fought for one another. Whether that was the player in front of you, to the side of you, behind you — it didn't matter what you looked like, it didn't matter what you stood for, it didn't matter what car you drove.

"In 2015, winning a World Cup obviously put us on a really big stage. Endorsements started coming and the spotlight started coming and I just saw a shift in people's mindsets."

ST PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 26: Carli Lloyd #10 of United States looks on against Korea Republic in the first half of the game at Allianz Field on October 26, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Indeed, the modern era of the US national team particularly rose to prominence after winning the 2015 World Cup. A lot of the same players also featured in the 2019 squad in France, where they once again lifted the title.

It became more about 'what can I do to build my brand off the field? What can I do to get an endorsement deal?' and less about what we have to do when we step in between those lines.

Having made 316 appearances for her nation, Lloyd is the USA's second-most capped women's player, behind only the legendary Kristine Lilly. 

The 39-year-old retired from football last year after a decorated career, which saw her win two World Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2015.

After making her senior international debut in 2005, Lloyd has seen the US camp change multiple times, however she has criticised the most recent set up for lacking in the fighting spirit that once tied the team together.

"This game is evolving so fast and you can't become complacent at all," Lloyd said. "I don't think it was one particular thing, I think it was a number of things, but I don't think the respect of wearing the crest and playing for your country, and doing everything in your power to fight for your teammates on the field was there.

"You saw that. You saw a team like Canada win a gold medal [at the Tokyo Olympics]. Not the most talented team — on paper, we [USA] had the most talented team, but talent doesn't win you everything. You've got to be a team and you've got to collectively be on the same page."