During Wednesday night’s game against the Netherlands, United States star Lindsey Horan got visibly angry after a hard tackle from opponent Danielle van de Donk – who is actually club teammates with Horan – giving van de Donk a small shove in response. And Horan used that anger and frustration to score an incredibly important goal.
Just minutes after the incident, Lindsey Horan scored an equalizing header that proved crucial in securing the 1-1 draw. And she claims the incident helped fuel her.
“That’s where you get the best football from Lindsey,” Horan said after the match according to ESPN. “I don’t think you ever want to get me mad because I don’t react in a good way. Usually I just go and I want something more — I want to win more, I want to score more, I want to do more for my team.
“So that moment, that little tackle — big tackle — changed a shift in my head because I want to do everything for my team and to win these games.”
As for the tense exchange with Van de Donk, Horan spoke highly of her opponent’s competitive nature and admitted that she “didn’t take it in a good way.”
“Dan is that type of player — when she’s on my team it’s incredible because she’s going to fight to that last second to win a game or go into that last tackle,” Horan said. “That’s what she did and unfortunately I didn’t take it in a good way. I got a little heated and she got to hear it.”
She may not be proud of the way she hadn’t it, in hindsight, but her frustration fueled her goal, and it proved to be a pivotal one for the USWNT.
[ESPN]
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