Denver, Colorado – U.S. women’s national team captain Lindsey Horan addressed recent comments she made about American fans’ knowledge of soccer during a virtual availability ahead of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. In an interview with The Athletic, Horan shared frustrations with how viewers of matches took commentary at face value before joking about her mother’s viewing habits during USWNT matches. The comments garnered mixed reactions, leading Horan to issue an apology to the fans, stating that some of her comments were poorly expressed and that she had learned a massive lesson from the situation.
Despite the controversy, Horan expressed her love and appreciation for the fans, emphasizing their importance as the team’s inspiration and motivation. She also acknowledged the positive growth and change in soccer culture across America, highlighting the honor she feels playing for the U.S. women’s national team, the NWSL, and the Portland Thorns. Additionally, she emphasized her desire to represent the national team and play in front of their fans, recognizing it as her greatest honor.
Horan clarified that her intent was not to offend anyone and reiterated her deep apology for the impact of her initial comments. She also shared her love for soccer and her aspiration for the U.S. women’s national team to be recognized for its incredible performance and style of play, similar to renowned soccer clubs like Man City, Arsenal, and Barcelona.
Looking ahead to the W Gold Cup and the upcoming Olympics, Horan expressed the team’s goals and the importance of utilizing every player on the roster. She emphasized the need for all players to get on the same page and progress together to prepare for the Olympics.
The tournament format and timing of the W Gold Cup were seen as a perfect preparation for the upcoming Olympics, providing an opportunity for the team to mentally prepare and improve their performance. Horan stressed the significance of taking each game at a time and using the tournament to enhance the team’s capabilities and strategies.
Overall, Horan’s address to the media served to reconcile her previous comments, express her appreciation for the fans, and share the team’s focus on both the W Gold Cup and the preparations for the Olympics. As the captain of the U.S. women’s national team, her words carry weight and impact, signaling a message of unity and determination as the team looks ahead to upcoming competitions.