Carli Lloyd sets sights on National Women's Soccer League title

Since my last blog, my team has clinched a playoff spot. It has been a long month for me and my teammates as we embarked on a four game road trip to the West Coast and back. We started in Chicago, then headed to Kansas City, Seattle and Portland. Long road trips take a toll on you mentally and physically. The long hours in planes, airports and hotels can get the best of you. By the end of the trip you are just looking forward to sleeping in your own bed.

We only ended up with two points out of 12 on that road trip, making our job tough with few games remaining. We knew that it was going to come down to the final stretch to clinch a playoff spot. It wasn't until we returned back to our home field on July 21 that we were able to get on a winning streak. We clinched a playoff spot on August 7 against Seattle. It was a tough month to say the least as we have played 4 games in 11 days.

Personally, I have started to get my form back and have notched 8 goals in 14 appearances thus far this season. We have one more game remaining on August 17 against Boston and we hope to grab the second seed spot and clinch a home semifinal game. My plan is to help my team go all the way. I feel that we have the players to win it all if we all do our part. By the time I write my next blog for Philly.com, I'm hoping to have won the first NWSL championship.

Amidst my busy playing schedule I came home briefly to run my annual camps. I feel that this year's camp was the most successful I have conducted thus far. After years of fine-tuning my camp to assure I give my campers the best experience possible, I believe that everyone who attended left with valuable knowledge of my habits and mental toughness skills that I live by each and every day.

The campers went through the drills that I actually use to keep my basic skills sharp and refined. I want to thank all the locals that attended and thank the keen soccer players that travelled interstate and from abroad. It was a memorable day for me and the coaches that helped me conduct my camp.

I'm looking forward to coming home this fall. After being away for so long I can't wait to get home and resume my hometown life. I have missed being in the Philly area and can't wait to cheer on the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, Phillies and the Union. I love watching our teams play and I am really looking forward to chilling out with my boyfriend Brian and cheering on all the Philly teams.

Hopefully I can get to some games this fall.