United States captain Lindsey Horan has called on the holders to "raise the standard" heading into the Women's World Cup knockout phase but defended her team against criticism that followed their goalless draw with Portugal.
The two-time defending champions limped through to a last-16 tie against Sweden after holding on for a 0-0 stalemate against Portugal at Eden Park on Tuesday. That result saw them advance from their group in second place behind the Netherlands with just one win from three games.
US women's team great Carli Lloyd hit out at their performance, calling them "lacklustre" and "uninspiring" in her role as a TV pundit. Lloyd also suggested the holders looked arrogant, but Horan hit back. "It is kind of frustrating for me to hear, especially knowing this team and knowing how much we put into every single game," Horan told reporters in Auckland on Thursday.
"It was a really good team that we faced. For me it is noise. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we know that is how it goes, but I always want to defend my team and say you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes."
Horan's 2019 World Cup-winning teammate Lloyd has since sought to play down her post-game comments. "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," said midfielder Horan, 29, who plays for French champions Lyon.
The USA's displays in New Zealand have raised doubts about their ability to cope with a multi-pronged European threat in the knockout stage.