For teenage soccer phenoms like Lindsey Horan, North Carolina’s women’s soccer program has long been the most prominent destination after high school.
On Monday, though, Horan reminded the Tar Heels of a greater and more lucrative stage by signing a six-figure contract with professional French club Paris-Saint Germaine and withdrawing her commitment to UNC.
Out of high school, Top Drawer Soccer ranked the forward from Golden, Colo. as second-best recruit in her class and the top forward. Her ten goals in twelve appearances with U.S. national teams, U-14 through U-20, allowed her to prove her worth in international competition. It might be that experience that endeared her to overseas clubs.
Both her former club and UNC declined to comment or grant interviews, saying they’d prefer not to comment on what they saw as Lindsey’s story to tell. But a statement released by the team spoke to the unprecedented nature of Horan’s signing.
“I am elated for her,” said Erik Bushey, technical director with Colorado Rush, in a statement on Sunday. “This has been a dream of hers since I can remember. Her hard work has paid off. She is deserved. By her taking a path that is less traveled, she has opened a door for others to follow. She is a good role model for our younger Rush players with the same aspirations.”
Europe regards the NCAA college soccer system as less effective in developing top-flight players than European academies. The traditional fall to spring season is truncated to include only fall, meaning that college players simply play fewer games. American players looking to compete professionally in Europe after graduation, at age 22 or 23, will also find that many players their age already have several years of professional experience.
Billy Schuler, leading scorer on UNC’s men’s team last year, was the most recent Tar Heel to find a home in Europe. He now plays overseas for Hammerby, a team in the second division of Sweden’s soccer league.
PSG’s women’s side, though, is a top-tier powerhouse in French and European soccer. More importantly, it’s the first club to sign an American teenager straight out of high school. PSG will likely be in contention for League One and Champions League trophies. And at age 18, Horan is considered a more attractive prospect than older professional prospects who opted for a college career.
Others have argued that the almost uniquely American institution of the student-athlete produces mature, well-rounded players. Still, Horan’s parents are confident that the move won’t sacrifice her development off the field.
“I am happy with her decision,” Lindsey’s mother Linda Horan said in a statement. “The club (PSG) is going to pay for her schooling and that is important to me. In addition, Lindsey, her father and I agreed to put additional money from her contract into future education. I am comfortable.”
Horan’s decision is worrying for those trying to keep top talent in the U.S. Young players, even in the U.S., grow up idolizing European stars. Now Horan will leave to play alongside them.
In a video interview with Top Drawer Soccer, Horan said she aspired to play like Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. And indeed, in a YouTube video of her U-20 goal against Mexico in March, her speed and creativity resemble his. Horan streaks toward the goal in heavy traffic. She cuts right and fires, catching the keeper off her line with a beautiful chip from distance into the upper-right corner.
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