Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan Named Captains of U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team for World Cup
In a recent announcement, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Coach Vlatko Andonovski revealed that Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan will be the captains of the World Cup squad this summer in Australia and New Zealand. This decision comes as a result of Becky Sauerbrunn’s sidelining due to a foot injury.
Andonovski expressed his confidence in Horan and Morgan, stating, “They have vast experience in big games, and they understand what it takes to win at the highest levels.” He added that they are “ultimate professionals” who comprehend all the factors necessary to have a united and motivated team. Andonovski believes that Horan and Morgan will represent the U.S. well both on and off the field at the World Cup.
During matches when Horan and Morgan are on the field together, Horan will wear the captain’s armband, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation. This decision aligns with the strategy used in the 2019 World Cup squad under former coach Jill Ellis, where the player with the most international appearances wore the armband when more than one captain was present.
Sauerbrunn had been the sole captain of the national team since January 2021. However, with her unable to participate in the upcoming tournament, Andonovski informed the players of his decision last week during the team’s training camp in Los Angeles and made it public prior to their send-off match against Wales.
The U.S. women’s national soccer team, aiming to secure its third consecutive World Cup victory, will begin its group stage play on July 22 in Auckland, New Zealand, against Vietnam. If they achieve this feat, they will become the first men’s or women’s team to win three consecutive global titles.
Alex Morgan, who has been a part of the national team program for 13 years, with 22 captaincies under her belt, will be entering her fourth World Cup. Lindsey Horan, on the other hand, has nine armband appearances in her 128-game career and made her World Cup debut four years ago in France.
Although Andonovski had many potential candidates for the captaincy, ultimately, Horan and Morgan’s experience and leadership stood out. Other notable players like Megan Rapinoe, who has been with the team since 2006 and has been a strong advocate for equality both on and off the field, were also considered for the role.
With this decision, Andonovski believes that Rapinoe will have “a role of a leader and leading the leaders.” This highlights the importance of her experience and influence on the younger players, as well as her impact on the team as a whole.
As the U.S. women’s national soccer team prepares for the World Cup, all eyes will be on Horan and Morgan as they lead their squad to pursue history and strive for another remarkable achievement in women’s soccer.