Lindsey Horan created a stir when she criticized both U.S. soccer fans and NWSL players in a recent interview.
Ten years after her first cap for the U.S. women’s national team, Horan earned the captain’s armband ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. But the tournament ended in disappointment.
The USWNT entered as two-time defending World Cup champions but was knocked out in the Round of 16 by Sweden in a penalty shootout. A changing of the guard came soon afterward, as Vlatko Andonovski resigned as the head coach in August.
Another major tournament approaches, with the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon. Emma Hayes will take the reins as head coach in May after completing her final season with Chelsea. Until then, co-captains Horan and Alex Morgan have some work to do — if they remain in their leadership positions.
MORE: All about new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes
Horan came under fire at the beginning of February after revealing her thoughts on U.S. soccer fans and NWSL players in an interview with The Athletic. The 29-year-old midfielder plays for French club Lyon, though she played for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns for six years until a loan put her overseas in 2022.
“American soccer fans, most of them aren’t smart. They don’t know the game. They don’t…
