Horan USWNT Netherlands 2023Getty

USWNT player ratings vs Netherlands: Lindsey Horan saves the day as Vlatko Andonovski gets it all wrong in World Cup final rematch

If the United States women's national team does go on to win its World Cup group, they'll have Danielle van de Donk to thank. The Netherlands star was the player that woke up Lindsey Horan, who showed the rest of the world what happens when she plays angry.

One bad tackle, one half-hearted apology and one Horan goal later, the U.S. salvaged a point. They may or may not have deserved it, but they have it nonetheless, as they escaped with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in their second group-stage game in New Zealand. That draw was earned despite several questionable decisions from head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who used just one of his substitutions despite seeing his side frequently overrun by the Dutch.

Horan was the hero, heading home a fantastic cross from that one substitute, Rose Lavelle, in the second half after several prolonged spells of Dutch dominance. Their goal in the first half, off the foot of Jill Roord, was totally deserved and, for some time, it looked like it would be enough for them to seal a historic win over the team that took them down back in the 2019 World Cup final.

It wasn't, and the USWNT can have Horan, and Van de Donk, to thank. The USWNT's captain provided the goal needed to get something from this game, ensuring that both sides will have everything to play for in their final group-stage games.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Wellington Regional Stadium...

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