Lindsay Horan, captain of the U.S. women’s national team, hasn’t been shy about how fed up she is with American soccer fans not understanding the sport or her game.
Compared to European fans, Horan, who plays for Lyon in France, argued that Americans are not as keen on the game. she said in an interview with The Athletic..
“American soccer fans, most of them aren’t smart,” the midfielder said. “They don’t know the game. They don’t understand. [But] It’s getting better and better. ”
She also criticized the American commentators who evaluated her play on the pitch.
“I’m going to offend some people, but this game is growing in the United States. People are becoming more and more knowledgeable, but a lot of times people just take what the commentators say, right? ? My mom does it! My mom says, “Julie Fowdy.” [a commentator and former USWNT midfielder] He said he had a great match! ‘And I’m just here saying, ‘Today was shit,”’ Horan said.
Horan, 29, who co-captains the USWNT with veteran forward Alex Morgan, said his time in France has been transformative because of the sport’s popularity there.
“From what I’ve heard, people seem to understand my game a little bit more, my sense of football and the way I play,” Horan said. “It’s French culture. Everyone watches soccer. People know football.”
Horan went on to explain that fans don’t always understand the risks and pressures that come with playing for the national team.
She debuted in 2013 and has scored at least one goal for the United States every year since 2015, the longest goal streak of any player currently on the team.
“You have to be on this team for a while to know what it takes. … It’s one of the most competitive varsity teams to be on,” she said.
Horan had no interest in the criticism he heard after the USWNT’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Sweden.
After winning the championship in 2019, the team was aiming for a consecutive championship, but failed to even advance to the semifinals.
“If you’re not backing it up on the field, people will come and talk about what you’re doing and where your priorities are,” she said. “For example, ‘Are you ready for the match?’ Are you more concerned about this-?”
Horan and the women’s team will be aiming for gold at this summer’s Paris Olympics without the recently retired Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe.
