Topics: FIFA Women's World Cup, France, USA, Thailand, Carli Lloyd
The forward seeks to feature in the starting lineup despite making an impact from the bench.

Veteran USWNT forward Carli Lloyd is targeting a swift return to the starting lineup after getting on the scoresheet having come off the bench in the opening game against Thailand. The 36-year-old striker made her mark later in the encounter by scoring the final goal in the 13-0 mauling in Reims on Tuesday.

In what was the most lopsided match-up in the history of the FIFA competition, Orlando Pride's Alex Morgan grabbed five goals, Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis registered a brace apiece, while Lindsey Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd all ended up on the scoresheet with a goal each.

Before the clash, one of the biggest questions revolved around whether Lloyd deserved a starting berth in Jill Ellis' side as she was coming off an uninspiring season with her club. However, with five goals in the last four games for the USWNT, it was almost certain that the 2015 FIFA World Cup winner would make critics eat back their words.

Having sealed the record of the most goals for a single game in the World Cup's history, Carli Lloyd commended the overall effort of the side.

"We got off to an incredible start," she told Live Soccer TV.

"Hats off to all the goalscorers. It was pretty amazing with Alex [Morgan] banging five. But you know, people coming off the bench did well and I think that's what's deadly about this team.

"Win after win, we can bring it -- in a lot of different ways and I think that's what makes our team really special.

"While this is great, we do have to focus on the next game and get ready for Chile. It's going to be another good test. We're one down and now we've got two more [games] left in the group to go.

On her substitute role, she said: "You look at all the other players in the World Cup. You've got Formiga who is 41; she's starting and playing. You've got Christine Sinclair who's starting and playing and I think she's 34-35 maybe… Nilla Fischer is 35, Cristiane's 34…

"I'm fit. I'm sharp. This is the best version of me that there's ever been in my entire career. I'm confident, mentally tough, and of course I don't love being a sub but this tournament is long and you never know what can happen.

"I'm going to be ready for anything and I think my teammates and the coaches know what I can bring to this team. I'm just going to keep going."

With her goalscoring form at the World Cup seemingly intact, Carli Lloyd maintained that she is not swayed by the words of her critics.

"Sometimes [on social media] I just see posts that I like and I just post them. I'm not seating here every waking hour thinking about critics and naysayers. I really don't care much about them and I think that some of those quotes that I choose and put on social media, I just like… And I think it helps other people.

"Some of the comments that people write back is like, 'You've helped me so much'. So I like to be an inspiration and I like quotes and it just so happens to be that some of those quotes just relate to my career and mentality."

The USWNT will take on Chile at Parc des Princes in the second group stage match on Saturday.