‘I’ve made it known’ – USWNT captain Lindsey Horan reveals message to ‘exciting’ young stars as elite challenge is set

The United States have grown accustomed to dominating the women’s game, but they suffered a humbling last-16 defeat at the 2023 World Cup. Changes are now being made on and off the field, with Chelsea boss Emma Hayes preparing to inherit managerial reins as a new generation of talent is absorbed into a star-studded squad.

Horan remains one of the most experienced heads, as she closes in on 150 caps for her country, and has told FIFA’s official website of the demands being placed on stars of today and tomorrow: “I’ve made it known that they make up a lot of this team now. That's the biggest thing. I’ve told them: 'We need you guys to get the level you need to be at as soon as possible. Maybe it's come around a little bit quicker than you thought it would – but you have to get [used to] the fine details, have conversations, and learn as much as you can in this environment. You guys can all do it and that's why you're here.’”

Horan added on what rising stars have to offer the USWNT, with proven performers such as Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger and Julie Ertz among those to have headed off into retirement: “It's a really exciting and I think everyone should stay tuned and watch what these young kids can do. We've got some leaders in there, too, and we're meshing well. There are always going to be setbacks – individually and collectively in the span of your career – and maybe the World Cup was one of them, but it's how you come out of that. That's what we've always said after that World Cup. It's about how it shapes us and how we can turn it into a positive.”

The USWNT are currently on Gold Cup duty, with more silverware in their sights there, while a bid for Olympic gold medal glory will be opened when the Games head to Paris in late July.