Retired men’s professional soccer star Alexi Lalas is in disagreement with U.S. Women’s Soccer team captain Lindsey Horan over her harsh words about American soccer fans.
Horan recently told The Athletic that American soccer fans are “not smart” and don’t understand the game the way other countries do, such as the fans in France.
“American soccer fans, most of them aren’t smart,” she told the outlet. “They don’t know the game. They don’t understand.”
“I’m gonna piss off some people,” Horan continued, adding that “people are more and more knowledgeable, but so much of the time people take what the commentators say, right? My mom does it! My mom says, ‘Julie Foudy said you had such a good game!’ And I’m here, just going, ‘I was f***ing s*** today.’”
Foudy is not just a commentator, but a retired women’s soccer star with two FIFA Women’s World Cup championships and two Olympic golds under her belt.
Horan added that playing in France is different, because fans there “know football,” seemingly unlike the U.S.
“From what I’ve heard, people understand my game a little bit more, a sense of my football and the way I play,” she said. “It is the French culture. Everyone watches football. People know football.”
Lalas was not impressed with Horan’s take, and mocked her approach as a “bold strategy” during a trying time for the women’s team.
“So, not satisfied with already turning off many Americans who don’t watch soccer, evidently the #USWNT has now set their sights on turning off many Americans who do watch soccer. Bold strategy,” he posted, as highlighted by Fox News.
So, not satisfied with already turning off many Americans who don’t watch soccer, evidently the #USWNT has now set their sights on turning off many Americans who do watch soccer. Bold strategy. https://t.co/oBHEDTglj4
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) February 2, 2024
“I actually think American soccer fans are arguably some of the most educated, interesting, and well-rounded in the game,” he continued. “In a country where soccer isn’t king, American soccer fans have often had to seek and discover the game, domestically and internationally. This proactive approach, out of necessity, has given American soccer fans a unique appreciation and view of the game. It’s not provincial, it’s worldly.”
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“American soccer fans are forced to see the game relative to the world, not simply the country,” Lalas said. “This means American soccer fans are often more educated about that world than others. Also, because of America’s unique culture, American soccer fans are exposed to a much wider spectrum of soccer styles, leagues, players, ideas etc. than other countries. This has produced a soccer palette for American soccer fans that is much more diverse than many soccer-centric countries and cultures.”
I actually think American soccer fans are arguably some of the most educated, interesting, and well-rounded in the game. In a country where soccer isn't king, American soccer fans have often had to seek and discover the game, domestically and internationally. This proactive…
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) February 2, 2024
During her interview with The Athletic, Horan also acknowledged why the U.S. team has been criticized for their outside focus, which has included far-Left activism.
“If you’re not backing it up on the field, people are gonna come and talk s*** about what you’re doing, where your priorities are,” the captain said. “Like, ‘Are you getting ready for the game? Are you caring more about this s***?’”