U.S. women’s soccer star Lindsey Horan sparked outrage earlier this month when she said that American soccer fans “aren’t smart” and don’t understand the game. 

Now, the USWNT captain is walking back those remarks. 

Lindsey Horan, #10 of USA, dribbles towards the goal during a game between Sweden and USWNT at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 6, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Richard Callis/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Horan, who previously played in the National Women’s Soccer League, issued an apology when speaking to reporters on Thursday ahead of the first CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup slated to begin next week. 

“I’m gonna piss 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! My mom says, ‘Julie Foudy said you had such a good game!’ And I’m here, just going, ‘I was f—ing s— today.'”

The remarks sparked a fierce backlash, especially after the team was recovering from their worst finish at the Women’s World Cup last summer. The U.S. was eliminated in the round of 16, for its earliest exit in the tournament to date. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.