Lindsay Horan spent part of Thursday apologizing to American soccer fans for comments about their knowledge, or lack thereof, of the beautiful game in a recent interview with The Athletic.
Horan acknowledged in a Feb. 1 article that he intended to “offend some people” but said most U.S. fans are “not smart.”
However, the ensuing backlash seemed to be too much for the U.S. Women’s National Team captain, and she withdrew from her team during a press conference ahead of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.
Horan said, “First of all, I would like to apologize to my fans.” According to ESPN. “Some of my comments were poorly expressed, but it was a big lesson for me. When I think about our fans, I love them so much. This team We love them so much that words can’t express how much they mean to us.
“Every time we go out and train, every time we go out and play a game, we play for you, you are our inspiration, you are our motivation, When I see you guys wearing our jerseys, when I see you guys yelling our name and yelling ‘USA’, that’s what we play for. ”
Horan’s comments garnered a lot of attention and added to some of the criticism the USWNT has faced since losing in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
This was the earliest departure in the program’s history.
“What I never wanted to do was offend anyone in that way. Once again, I deeply and deeply apologize,” he added.
The rift between the national team and the sport’s commentators, including former men’s and women’s national team players Alexi Lalas and Carli Lloyd, has deepened.
Horan’s previous comments reflected that.
“People are becoming more and more knowledgeable, but a lot of times people just take what the commentators say at face value, right?” she told The Athletic earlier this month. “Mom’s doing it!” she says, “Julie Fowdy.” [a commentator and former USWNT midfielder] He said he had a great match! ” And I just want to say here, “Today was the worst.”
Horan told reporters Thursday that he has changed his mind after reflecting on his comments.
“I also want to express how much my fans mean to me personally. And again, I don’t want to take anything away from that. So that’s something that I always want to do. I think that’s what I was thinking,” she said of the reason for her apology.
