Friends help Lloyd celebrate World Cup title

Although Carli Lloyd's play in the Women's World Cup was no big surprise, what she found after the title game certainly was.

Four of her closest friends surprised Lloyd shortly after she scored three goals in leading the United States to a 5-2 World Cup victory over Japan on Sunday night in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Her cousins Adam Wilson and Jaime Bula, her aunt Patti Wilson, and close friend Karen Zarrella flew to Vancouver to witness the title game and celebrate with Lloyd, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player.

"The atmosphere was wild from beginning to end," Adam Wilson said. "There was a sea of USA fans marching in the streets of Canada, cheering and chanting for our country. We knew she was going to get one [goal], but not that soon and definitely not a hat trick within 16 minutes. I said, 'Is this a dream? Is this really happening?' Jaws were dropped."

Patti Wilson said the visit, which included Lloyd's friends and family posing with her and the World Cup, was a complete surprise to Lloyd.

"The look on her face coming off the bus was priceless," Patti Wilson said. "We group-hugged with tears rolling down all of our faces. I told her I was so proud of her."

Bula and Zarrella were in Montreal last Tuesday, when Lloyd's goal gave the U.S. team a 1-0 lead en route to a victory over Germany.

"Walking out of the stadium in Montreal after the semifinal game, I knew I had to go [to the final]," Bula said. "I didn't want to miss a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing my cousin's dream come true. We know how focused Carli is, so we wanted to keep it a surprise until after the game."

Said Zarrella: "It was indescribable watching Carli make history in person. She is leaving a legacy for generations to come. As my best friend, I am so happy and proud that all of her hard work has paid off. She is a true world champion."

Kathy Sweet, another close friend, also made the trip to Montreal for the World Cup semifinals, where she high-fived anyone she saw wearing her friend's jersey number.

"We really have seen her grow into an incredible player," Sweet said. "It's unreal. This is the type of player I want my nieces to grow up watching - when I have the kids - the type of player I want them to look up to. She's relentless."

"She's always said she wants to be the best soccer player in the world," Sweet continued. "Watching when she won the Golden Ball, I thought, 'Well, this is a step in that direction.' "