Lindsey Horan, USWNT brush off Carli Lloyd criticism after group play celebration: 'It's noise'

The United States Women's National Team doesn't generally like to talk about noise outside of their bubble, especially mid-tournament.

With former USWNT star and current Fox Sports television analyst Carli Lloyd criticizing the team for celebrating after an all-around lackluster showing in the Group E finale against Portugal, the buzz got just a little loud for team captain Lindsey Horan.

“I always want to defend my team and say, 'You have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. You have no idea, every single training, what we’re doing. Individually, collectively,’” Horan said, per USA Today. “For anyone to question our mentality hurts a little bit. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really care. It’s what’s going on inside of here, what’s going on inside of the team.”

The USWNT had a win and two draws in group play, narrowly averting disaster several times. It made it out alongside the Netherlands, which finished first in the group, and will now play Sweden in the Round of 16. The U.S. is looking for its fifth Women's World Cup win and third straight. And although the team hasn't played up to expectations so far, Horan isn't sweating it even if she doesn't like it.