Lindsey Horan, the captain of the US women’s soccer team, has apologized after she recently claimed most American fans of the sport ‘aren’t that smart’.

Speaking to The Athletic earlier this year, Horan opened up on dealing with the criticism and scrutiny that falls on the US team given their successes over the last decade, which included two World Cup wins before crashing out in last year’s tournament to Sweden in the last 16.

‘American soccer fans, most of them aren’t smart,’ she said. ‘They don’t know the game. They don’t understand. (But) it’s getting better and better.

Horan addressed her comments on Thursday, apologizing to supporters. ‘The soccer culture in America is changing and growing so much in such a positive way,’ she said, per Just Women’s Sports. 

Lindsey Horan was a starter on the USA World Cup team last year that lost in the last 16

Horan converted her penalty in the shootout vs. Sweden but the team lost 5-4

‘To go out and play in front of our fans and represent this national team, it is my greatest honor… the last thing I ever want to do was offend anyone in that manner.’

Horan, 29, plays in France for Lyon and she previously suggested soccer is viewed differently over there.

‘From what I’ve heard, people understand my game a little bit more, a sense of my football and the way I play,’ she told The Athletic. ‘It is the French culture. Everyone watches football. People know football.’

Horan, who has made an astounding 139 appearances for the USWNT, was a starter in last year’s World Cup – which ended well short of expectations for the Stars and Stripes.

The midfielder scored two goals in the tournament and also converted her penalty in the team’s shootout with Sweden, which the USA lost 5-4.

Megan Rapinoe laughed to herself after she missed a crucial penalty for the United States in their Women’s World Cup last-16 exit to Sweden

Emma Hayes, currently manager of Chelsea women, will take over the USA job this summer

Fox soccer analyst and former US men’s defender Alexi Lalas hit out at Horan over her comments, calling it a ‘bold strategy’.

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 added: ‘I actually think American soccer fans are arguably some of the most educated, interesting, and well-rounded in the game. 

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

‘In a country where soccer isn’t king, American soccer fans have often had to seek and discover the game, domestically and internationally… 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.’