USWNT’s Lindsey Horan eyes World Cup glory after 2024 Paris Olympics triumph: ‘Imagine what we can do’

Fresh off of winning Olympic Gold, the United States women’s national team don’t want to stop there. They’ve kicked off the Emma Hayes era on the right foot by defeating Brazil 1-0 in Paris to win the tournament, and following the match, captain Lindsey Horan is already thinking about the Women’s World Cup that will take place in Brazil in 2027.

The United States came up short in the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand, getting knocked out by Sweden in a penalty shootout in the round of 16, and the sour taste of that is still in their mouths. This is a team that expects to win everything and it showed in their forward-thinking nature following their gold medal triumph, going three knockout stage games without conceding a goal. 

“We were just like, ‘Imagine what we can do now in the next two-and-a-half years,’” Horan said after the game. “We sit here knowing there’s so much more in us … My gosh, the way this team is now, and seeing the potential for 2027 — it’s very exciting.”  

With this Olympic medal already showcasing a transition with Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson playing large roles in the success, there’s no reason that this iteration of the USWNT can’t be at the top of their game for years to come especially with a serial winner like Hayes at the helm.

“She’s been in for what, two months?” Horan continued. “The belief in this group, the will — all the players being coachable, everyone buying in. It’s not easy. It’s not easy for Emma, it’s not easy for us. I think this journey has been incredible. But there is so much belief in every single one of us, and I saw it in every game.”  

The mentality from Hayes’ Chelsea sides is already there despite the short time under new management and there’s no sign of this team being satisfied with their achievements when there are new things in their path to conquer.   

The Americans return to action with friendlies in October with two games against Iceland (Oct. 24 and Oct. 27) and one against Argentina (Oct. 30). They’ll then go Wembley to take on England on Nov. 30.