U.S. Women’s National Team star Lindsey Horan had an answer to Carli Lloyd’s criticism following the Americans’ final game of the group stage.
After an uninspired 0-0 tie with Portugal, Lloyd — a two-time World Cup champion and retired USWNT player — criticized her former team for dancing and smiling with fans in the stands. She also suggested the team’s fame has gone to some players’ heads.
The now FOX Sports broadcaster then clarified her comments, saying she made them because she cares “deeply about this team.”
But, as ESPN reported Thursday from Auckland, New Zealand, Lloyd’s comments didn’t sit well with Horan, the USWNT current captain. Horan said the criticism was “frustrating for me to hear” because of how hard the team has worked.
“Again, it’s noise and, again, it’s an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion — we know that’s how it goes,” Horan added. “But for me, I always want to defend my team and say: you have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes, you have no idea every single training what we’re doing individually, collectively, etcetera.
“So, for anyone to question our mentality hurts a little bit but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really care. It’s what’s going inside of the team and getting ready for that next game.”
Advancing out of the group stage and into the knockout round, the USWNT opens the Round of 16 against Sweden on Sunday at 5 a.m. ET on FOX.
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