Carli Lloyd, boyfriend Brian Hollins have been together since childhood

Carli Lloyd is easily one of the favorites to win the Golden Ball Award (Women’s World Cup MVP) if the United States defeats Japan in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday evening. Lloyd’s boyfriend, Brian Hollins, won’t be in Vancouver to watch his fiancee play.

And that’s just the way Lloyd wants it.

About a month ago, Lloyd told USA Today that she doesn’t want any of her family at the World Cup. Hollins said part of that has to do with superstition, as Team USA won gold at the London Olympics in 2012 when Lloyd’s family wasn’t in attendance. The same team lost in the World Cup final a year earlier when Hollins and Lloyd’s family were there.

“I guess we kind of figured out the pattern,” Hollins said. “I realize when I go, you don’t win. Realistically when our family goes, after the game she’s thinking, ‘All right, how do I spend time with them? Do I do an ice bath or do I get it done quick and go hang out with the family?’ I don’t think that’s a good choice for her to have to deal with.”

But don’t worry, Hollins isn’t going to feel left out. He has known Lloyd long enough to know when he should be offended or not. The two grew up together and have been dating since high school.

Hollins is an assistant golf pro at a country club in New Jersey. He has also spent time trying to qualify for PGA Tour events.

Lloyd and Hollins are planning to get married, but not until after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Lloyd, 33, is all about being focused and having no distractions. Hopefully that continues to pay off against Japan.

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H/T Heavy.com
Photo via Carli Lloyd/Instagram