Lindsey Horan to take over USWNT number 10 jersey from Carli Lloyd

Lindsey Horan will take over wearing the number 10 shirt for the USWNT after Carli Lloyd plays the final game of her international career this week.

Lloyd, who turns 40 next year and is fourth on the all-time international goalscorers list behind only Christine Sinclair (187), Abby Wambach (184) and Mia Hamm (158) with 134, announced her plan to retire earlier this year following the series of October matches.

Her 316th and final game will be against South Korea in St Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday.

Lloyd will also play out the remainder of the NWSL season with NJ/NY Gotham, before calling time on her illustrious playing career altogether by the end of the year.

Horan is already an experienced and tremendously decorated member of the USWNT roster. She has over 100 caps since making her debut in 2013, was a CONCACAF champion in 2018, a World Cup winner in 2019 and an Olympic bronze medalist this past summer.

The 27-year-old midfielder has typically worn the number nine shirt while representing the United States so far. But she has had the number 10 jersey for NWSL club side Portland Thorns since joining them in 2016, while 10 also features in her Instagram handle @lindseyhoran10.

“To wear the number 10 for the national team has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid. I still never thought it would feel like this,” Horan posted on Instagram.

“Carli passing down this jersey to me was one of the most special moments of my life and truly such a gift. You have showed me what it takes to consistently be at your best, to give everything to your team, to put your head down and ALWAYS work and no matter what, never stay complacent.

“You have become such a huge role model for me and I can’t thank you enough for that. Every time I put on this jersey, I promise to wear it with pride and never stop working.”

Horan took an unusual step early in her career, skipping collegiate soccer to go straight into the professional game in Europe. Despite having a scholarship offer from the legendary University of North Carolina Tar Heels, she signed with Paris Saint-Germain straight out of high school in 2012.

That path was later also followed by Canadian forward Jordyn Huitema in 2019.

Horan spent four years in France, returning to the United States in 2016 to join Portland, playing over 100 matches for the team and winning various team and individual NWSL accolades.

For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!