Lindsey Horan - The Rebel

SOCCER - MIDFIELDER - USWNT - PORTLAND THORNS FC

ARCHETYPE: THE REBEL

Day 80/135

Athletic Accomplishments

It’s no coincidence that Lindsey Horan plays center midfielder for the U.S. Women’s National Team and Portland Thorns FC, two of the most dominant soccer clubs in the world. It’s pretty obvious while watching her that Horan is one of the most well-rounded, complete soccer players in the world.

During her high school years, Horan played for the Colorado Rush club team, where she became a prolific goal-scorer and was named a Parade Magazine High School All-American and the top-ranked college prospect by ESPN.

In 2012, Horan decided to go pro straight from high school, despite landing a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, signing a six figure deal with Paris Saint-Germain FC. At PSG, she was an explosive scorer, netting 46 goals in her 58 appearances.

But Horan’s dream had always been to play for the U.S. Women’s National team. So in 2015, when head coach Jill Ellis told Horan that she needed to be in the U.S., PSG terminated Horan’s contract and allowed her to return home.

In 2016, Horan signed with Portland Thorns FC, an NWSL team, where she had an instant impact, helping the team with the Shield in that year, awarded to the team with the best regular season record.

In 2017, the Thorns won the NWSL Championship, with Horan scoring the only goal in the 1-0 victory over the North Carolina Courage. Horan was named NWSL MVP. In 2018, she was named NWSL MVP.

Oh, and earlier this month, the Thorns won the 2021 Challenge Cup in penalties. Horan, obviously, scored hers.

For the USWNT, Horan has become a key contributor on both offense and defense. She’s one of the best in the world at dispossessing opponents, and plays a masterful role in making beautiful, delayed runs and finishing goals. With one World Cup title, as Horan is really just starting to come into her own.

Character Archetype: The Rebel

At 26 years old, Lindsey Horan is already one of the most complete and promising players in soccer, globally. But her path to success has required a whole lot of courage, self-assuredness, and the willingness to say f*ck off…

Rather than go to college, Horan—the top prospect of her class—signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2012. She made a name for herself as a prolific scorer, netting 46 goals in 58 appearances.

Despite her incredible performance on the pitch and her excelling at PSG’s fitness tests, coaching staff repeatedly pressured Horan to lose weight. Horan described an assistant coach slapping a snack out of her hand and grabbing the side of her waist. Another time, coaches announced—to the entire team—that she and other players were on a mandatory diet, and began fining players for eating dessert. Horan recalled having no energy and feeling lethargic during training because she wasn’t getting enough calories.

Horan once witnessed a coach tell her teammate that the reason she got called up to France’s Women’s National Team was that she finally started wearing makeup. So, what did PSG really value? Looks or results? Maybe we should ask that question throughout women’s sports generally.

In January 2016, Horan escaped PSG’s toxic culture by returning to the States to play for the U.S. Women’s National team and signing with Portland Thorns FC.

Since giving up on the baseless body-shaming bullshit, Horan’s done pretty alright for herself. She has won an NWSL Shield, Championship, and Challenge Cup with the Thorns. In 2018, she was named MVP of the NWSL. And in 2019, she won her first World Cup title… if you’re into that sort of thing.