United States captain hits back at former teammate for harsh World Cup criticism
USWNT captain Lindsey Horan has responded to criticism from analyst and former teammate Carli Lloyd.
The United States were almost knocked out of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday after being held to a goalless draw with Portugal. Despite the stalemate, the reigning champions were able to progress past the group stages of the competition.
However, the result and performance did not please former US international Lloyd, who was working as a pundit for her country’s game against Portugal. The USWNT finished runners-up in the group behind winners the Netherlands, and Lloyd was critical of the celebrations that followed the draw.
“I have never witnessed something like that [players dancing],” Lloyd told Fox Sports. “There is a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing, to be smiling?
“The player of the match was that post,” Lloyd added. “You are lucky to not be going home right now.”
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Lloyd’s comments generated plenty of reaction, particularly as she only retired from playing for the USWNT in 2021.
Horan, who played alongside Lloyd at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which was won by the US, has reacted to the comments from her former teammate. The 29-year-old took issue with Lloyd’s comments questioning the team’s motivation.
“Especially knowing this team and how much we put into every single game,” Horan told reporters during a press conference.
“I always want to defend my team and say like, you have no idea what's going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single angle, every single training, like what we're doing individually, collectively, etc.
Lindsey Horan has responded to comments made by former USWNT teammate Carli Lloyd (Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images)“In this game, you can't question that we didn't want to win the game. You can't question we weren't working as hard as we possibly could. We know we could have done better.
“Again, it was a really good team that we faced. So you know, for me, it's like, again, it's noise and again, it's an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And you know, that's how it goes.
'For anyone to question our mentality, you know, hurts a little bit, but at the end of the day, it's like, doesn't really matter.
“I don't really care. It's you know, what's going on inside of here. It's what's going on inside of the team, and we're getting ready for that next week.”
Lloyd went on to explain her thinking behind her remarks a day later as she addressed her criticism of her former teammates.
“I'd like to state that obviously, I was very critical of the team last night. I've had some time to reflect, to sleep on it,” Lloyd said on Fox Sports.
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“And I want people to understand that I care deeply about this team. I poured my heart and soul into this team for 17 years and it was based off of a legacy that was just passed down from generation to generation - the mentality, the DNA of what makes that team so great.
“And so my comments were reflective of me wanting to see that legacy continue to be passed down from generation to generation. And with that, it comes with hard work, it comes with focus.
“So my hope is that that continues because that is what makes the US so special and so deadly and that is ultimately what has won us championships.”
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