The U.S. Women’s National Team clinched top spot in Group F on Thursday and Lindsey Horan was a major part for that.
Horan played the full 90 minutes and scored the game-winning goal in the USWNT’s 2-0 win over Sweden in Le Havre. Horan’s performance earned her SBI’s Woman of the Match.
The midfielder also finished the match with an 80% passing completion rate, while winning seven out 10 duels. She made eight recoveries in the match, one in which the USWNT had more of the ball than its European counterparts.
Horan has scored two goals in the World Cup, giving Jill Ellis a physical option in attack and also tracking back in defense.
The win earned the USWNT a date with Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday, June 24th. Horan beat out Samantha Mewis, Tobin Heath, and Kelley O’Hara for the WOTM honors.
What did you think of Horan’s performance? Has she impressed you so far in the World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
YES on Horan!!! Against a Physical Team like Sweden, she is just what the doctor ordered to help neutralize things a bit. Samantha started the match slowly, but by the 2nd half, she began to look like Michelle Akers, the way she was controlling things out at midfield. If and when the U. S. will play England, they will need both Lindsey and Samantha at their best to offset the tremendous size that the Brits possess. They will also need Julie Ertz and the physical presence she brings to the field.
Both Horan and Mewis are terrific in the midfield for the US right now, play similar roles, and both should start. Rose Lavelle is the key MF playmaker (something the US men sorely lack) with Ertz arguably the most important player on the team as the link between defense and offense at defensive midfield. So who gets the call in the knockout round? Thinking bringing Mewis off the bench for the last 25-30 minutes is the way to go. Jill Ellis has a good problem to solve.
I say put Horan up top and bench Morgan. I can see Horan being a force up top and linking up play in attack.
Morgan did zilch today per usual vs real competition.