Lindsey Horan - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Lindsey Michelle Horan was born on May 26, 1994, in Golden, Colorado. She fell in love with soccer at a very young age, playing for the Colorado Rush in the W-League as a teenager. At Golden High School, she was a prolific scorer, reportedly netting 80 goals in 51 games. Her impressive talent caught the eye of national team scouts and she was selected to play for the United States U-17 team.
Skipping College for Professional Career
Horan was offered a full scholarship to the esteemed University of North Carolina but made a groundbreaking decision to forego college to play professional soccer. At the age of 18, she signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), making her the first female American player to bypass college to turn pro.
Career at Paris Saint-Germain
Signing with Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, Horan made her mark as a midfielder for the club. During her time in France, she appeared in 58 games for PSG, scoring 46 goals. Her outstanding play with PSG took her to the European Championship League semi-finals. During her four seasons with Paris Saint Germain, she established herself as a consistent and reliable player.
Return to United States
In January 2016, Horan returned to the United States and signed with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She became an instrumental player for the Thorns, scoring the winning goal in the 2017 NWSL Championship game. In 2018, Horan was named the NWSL Most Valuable Player, making her the first midfielder to win the award. By 2020, she had scored 29 goals in 83 matches for the Thorns.
U.S. National Team Career
Horan’s international career with the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) began in 2013. During her career with the USWNT, she has achieved numerous victories including the CONCACAF Women's Championship in 2014 and 2018, the SheBelieves Cup in 2016, 2018 and 2020 and the Tournament of Nations in 2018. Her biggest achievements came in 2015 and 2019, when the team won the FIFA Women's World Cup. Horan herself scored two goals in the 2019 tournament.
Playing Style
Horan’s style of play is characterized by physicality, precise passing, and potent strikes. She is a versatile player who excels both as a defensive midfielder and an attacking one. She is well-regarded for her tactical awareness, technical skill, and aerial prowess. Her strength on the ball coupled with her goal-scoring ability make her a key player in the midfield position.
Personal Life
Off the pitch, Horan is known for her outgoing and friendly personality. She is close to her family and often shares pictures with them on her social media accounts. She also uses her platform to promote equality and awareness for the women's game. She was also reportedly tag-lined the “Great Horan” by her U.S National Team teammates based on her dedication to the sport and her exemplary performance.
Accolades and Honours
Over her career, Horan has picked up numerous accolades. She was named U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the year in 2013. After her first season with Portland Thorns, she won the NWSL Championship and was named the NWSL MVP in 2018. Internationally, she was part of the FIFA Women's World Cup winning team in 2015 and 2019. In both tournaments, she had significant impacts, especially in 2019 when she scored two goals.
