Lindsey Horan sets a fiery example for young USWNT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Don't mess with Lindsey Horan.

That was an important lesson opponents — current and future — learned from the U.S. women's national team's 1-1 World Cup draw against the Netherlands on Wednesday at Wellington Regional Stadium.

In the 62nd minute, Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk made a rough tackle on Horan on the left wing. A foul was not called, but the U.S. co-captain was down on the turf for a few minutes rubbing her knee. When Horan got up, she found van de Donk — her friend and teammate with French club Lyon — in the penalty box and that's when the chirping began. 

It got heated — arms waving, fingers pointing — enough that the referee had to break them up. Asked after the match what the official told players, Horan said she didn't remember because "it was too long."

Seconds later, Horan responded with an equalizing goal. Rose Lavelle, who came in at halftime, sent the perfect corner straight to Horan, who headed it into the back of the net to secure what would be a 1-1 final scoreline.

"That's where you get the best from Lindsey," Horan said of herself after the game. "I don't think you ever want to get me mad because I don't react in a good way, usually. I want to win more. I want to score more. I want to do more for my team.

"So that moment, that tackle, made a shift in my head. I want to do everything for my team and that's to win every game. That's how football is. It's competitive."

[Related: Lindsey Horan got mad, then she got even with goal that saved USWNT ]

Heading into this match, Horan was sitting on a yellow card. If she was cautioned against the Dutch, she'd have to sit out the USWNT's third and final group-stage match against Portugal on Aug. 1