Champions know how to turn disappointments into celebrations. Undergoing a lot of scrutiny after a disappointing World Cup last year, it was a pretty nervy time for the USWNT to go into the Olympics. The team knew they would receive harsh feedback if anything went wrong in Paris. However, after taking care of the team on the pitch, captain Lindsey Horan now reveals those leaders who propelled USWNT to gold at the Paris Games. Already being criticized earlier, the skipper did not lose her focus but returned with a reward.

As the Olympics’ official website reported, Horan thanked a young USA squad who took the initiative to take the team through. She stated, “My teammates made it very easy for me [to lead],” “It was a whole group effort, it wasn’t just me by myself. I have a lot of leaders on the team that helped me with that.” Horan carried a decent amount of pressure, being one of the senior players on the list. The USA went without their previous gold medal-winning ace Alex Morgan. In addition, last year’s World Cup debacle also left doubts in the eyes of the supporters.

But Horan and her crew came out shining with a 6-game winning effort to take the highest prize. Nevertheless, Horan acknowledged that the team received her guidance. She further said, “The responsibility is such an honor. To walk out and play in a gold medal match as captain [was] one of the coolest things of my life.” Although she didn’t register a goal in the tournament, the 30-year-old’s concrete passing and stability with the ball were a vital factor for the Stars and Stripes’ gameplay.

Meanwhile, it was an impressive display of collaboration and harmony from a young USWNT. Assuring a promising tomorrow, the attacking trio, of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman scored 10 goals together. Whereas the defense spearheaded by impressive Naimi Girma just conceded 2 in the whole tournament. However, the win was very important for the Olympique Lyon athlete personally, who saw a favor slightly decreasing among the crowd.

Emma Hayes has nothing but praise for Lindsey Horan’s heroic leadership

The members of last year’s World Cup including Horan were already on the hot seat after the round of 16 exit. But the former Portland Thorns star earlier this year stated that most soccer fans in the USA “don’t know the game. They don’t understand. (But) it’s getting better and better,” gaining harsh responses from the fraternity in the country. Nonetheless, her selflessness during the victorious campaign in Paris was revealed by Emma Hayes who lauded Lindsey Horan for her leadership.

Hayes said, that Horan ‘took hard decisions with the players,’ which were important and fair. Moreover, Hayes claimed that the midfielder made her job easier by revealing the expectations to the players. Hence getting the best out of them makes her a great captain. As things stand, Lindsey and the players are back with their clubs. But the skipper’s eyes are already on the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. With great confidence in her teammates, Horan is sure they can ace the competition in Brazil.