Alexi Lalas SLAMS Lindsey Horan for ‘turning off Americans who do watch soccer’ after the USWNT captain claimed her country’s fans ‘aren’t that smart’ about the sport: ‘Bold strategy’

Fox soccer analyst and former US men’s defender Alexi Lalas has hit out at USWNT captain Lindsey Horan for taking aim at American soccer fans.

Horan recently spoke to The Athletic about the criticism and scrutiny that falls on the US team, when she said the majority of American fans ‘aren’t that smart’.

Lalas posted several tweets in response to Horan’s controversial statement, the first of which read: ‘So, not satisfied with already turning off many Americans who don’t watch soccer, evidently the #USWNT has now set their sights on turning off many Americans who do watch soccer. Bold strategy.’

He later posted a much longer tweet and expanded on his thoughts in further detail.

‘I actually think American soccer fans are arguably some of the most educated, interesting, and well-rounded in the game. In a country where soccer isn’t king, American soccer fans have often had to seek and discover the game, domestically and internationally,’ said Lalas.

Fox soccer analyst Alexi Lalas has hit back at USWNT team captain Lindsay Horan’s comments 

Horan (right) recently made critical comments saying American soccer fans ‘aren’t that smart’ 

Lalas posted multiple tweets on X hitting back against Horan for her critical comments

‘This proactive approach, out of necessity, has given American soccer fans a unique appreciation and view of the game. It’s not provincial, it’s worldly.

‘American soccer fans are forced to see the game relative to the world, not simply the country. This means American soccer fans are often more educated about that world than others.

‘Also, because of America’s unique culture, American soccer fans are exposed to a much wider spectrum of soccer styles, leagues, players, ideas etc. than other countries. 

‘This has produced a soccer palette for American soccer fans that is much more diverse than many soccer-centric countries and cultures. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.’

Lalas also stated in a separate tweet that he still likes Horan as a player and as a person, but strongly disagrees with her take on American soccer fans.

During her interview with The Athletic, Horan stated: ‘American soccer fans, most of them aren’t smart. ‘They don’t know the game. They don’t understand. (But) it’s getting better and better.

‘I’m gonna p**s off some people but the game is growing in the U.S. People are more and more knowledgeable, but so much of the time people take what the commentators say, right? My mom does it!’