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The United States Women’s National Team is at a crossroads, and captain Lindsay Horan appears to be at the center of it.
Horan captained the USWNT during an embarrassing run at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that saw the US knocked out in the round of the 16.
She then called out American fans, claiming they don’t know what they’re watching. Now fans are firing back after the USWNT dropped a 2-0 match to Mexico in the opening game of the 2024 CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup
The loss was the USWNT’s first on home soil against a CONCACAF opponent since 2000. They had gone 78-0-2 in that time frame. The last time Mexico defeated the USWNT was in November 2010 during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
The US had also recorded 33 consecutive shutouts against CONCACAF opponents. The combined scored in those games was 158-0.
“First off, Mexico played a really good game so we don’t want to take anything away from that,” Horan said after the game. “But we were not on point today. We need to be better all aspects of the game. I could go into so many details but I think just across the board we need to be better.”
Those comments come just weeks after Horan said “most of them aren’t smart. They don’t know the game. They don’t understand,” in reference to American fans in an interview with Meg Linehan of The Athletic.
Fans Believe Lindsay Horan Should Not Be The Captain Of The USWNT
Well, apparently those same fans are smart enough to know that losing in unprecendented fashion is bad. And now they’re calling for Horan to pass the captain’s armband to somebody else.
Lindsey Horan is not it. Give that armband to someone else and out someone else in her position.
— Maria Jesse (@OrangesAndJess) February 27, 2024
This is what happens when you make Horan the captain https://t.co/WC4d5wFJtP
— hannah🏴☠️ (@hanahcc) February 27, 2024
why didn't horan speak after the game? isn't she the captain? or is she still missing cause i couldn't find her all game
— bellylint (@bellylint4) February 27, 2024
Well with the terrible Horan as captain we lost to Mexico. She is not a leader on the field, and likely not off the field either.
— Neenz (@NPuricelli) February 27, 2024
Thankfully for the USWNT, it’s just months away from new manager Emma Hayes arriving. Hayes, one of the top managers in women’s club soccer, is set to take over following the completion of the 2023-24 season with Chelsea FC.