Carli Lloyd's Polite 'Golf Clap' Burns Celebration Critics At Women's World Cup

Carli Lloyd clapped back at critics of the U.S. soccer team during the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

After the Americans were accused by some of over-celebrating during a 13-0 rout of Thailand in their first match last week, Lloyd reacted to her first goal against Chile with a leaping fist pump, but quickly muted her jubilation.

Smiling, she gently tapped her hands together as if she were politely cheering a good putt at a country club. Outlets like The Washington Post picked up on the subtle dig (seen below), calling it a “golf clap.”

Lloyd confirmed the gesture was intentional after the team’s 3-0 victory to clinch a spot in the knockout round.

Lindsey Horan “told told me if we score, that’s what we’re going to do so I just went along with it after I did my little celebration,” Lloyd said, per The Associated Press. “But it was fun. I think it made a statement on the sideline there. It was cool.”