According to FIFA’s latest 'Big Count' survey there are 265 million players actively involved in soccer around the world from the youth ranks to professional level. One of the biggest dreams for a player at any level is to represent their country on the world's biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup. With the tournament only taking place every four years, and the rosters narrowed down to roughly two dozen players, the odds are slim even for the best of the best. 

For five Coloradans - Lindsey Horan (Golden), Mallory Pugh (Highlands Ranch), Janine Beckie (Highlands Ranch), Estelle Johnson (Fort Collins) and Lorne Donaldson (Denver) - the stars have all aligned and throughout June and July each will represent their respective countries in France for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Let's get to know the five Coloradan's and their journey to France…

Lindsey Horan

The 25-year-old midfielder was one of the first female soccer players to skip college and chase her dreams abroad. Horan turned down a full scholarship at the University of North Carolina and packed her bags for Paris where she spent four years playing with super club Paris Saint-Germain.

“I thought I’d get to my goal quicker with that alternate route. I wanted to risk everything to make the national team,” Horan told USSoccer.com.

During her time at PSG, the former Colorado Rush player scored 46 goals in 58 appearances before returning to the US to play for the Portland Thorns in 2016.

At Portland, the central midfielder was named NWSL Championship MVP in 2017 after scoring the game-winning goal and leading Portland to victory. In 2018, Horan was named NWSL MVP and placed on the 2018 NWSL Best XI. Overall, she has made 58 appearances and scored 22 goals with PTFC.

On the international stage, Horan earned her first cap with the USWNT in 2013 during the Algarve Cup. She subbed on in the 74th minute for Christen Press in a 5-0 win over China on March 8. In 2016, she was called up for the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship and started in the match against Costa Rica. Horan has earned 68 caps with the USWNT senior team and has scored eight goals. This will be her first appearance in a World Cup after narrowly missing the cut in 2015.

“I went to the World Cup as a fan (in 2015). It was so exciting to go but sitting in the stands...it was so hard to watch. It hit me. I need to be doing more. If I’m going to get a shot, I need to be better. I wasn’t good enough. That was the kind of moment that really changed things," Horan told USSoccer.com.

How to follow Lindsey & the USWNT at the World Cup

Mallory Pugh

It wasn't all that long ago that the 21-year-old forward became the youngest player since 2002 to make her debut with the Stars and Stripes. At the age of 17, Pugh subbed on in the second half against the Republic of Ireland on January 23, 2016 and scored her first goal in the 83rd minute. She became the 19th player in history to score in her first appearance for the United States.

When college rolled around, the Highlands Ranch native chose UCLA for a semester before heading to the pros with the Washington Spirit.

“I remember thinking to myself, I could be with my friends at UCLA, yet here I am alone, with my bare-walled apartment,” Pugh said to USSoccer.com. “But then I’d remind myself—no, you were comfortable. This is what will challenge you.”

During her first year with the Spirit, Pugh was named a finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year. Overall, the former Colorado Real striker scored eight career goals in 33 appearances with the Washington Spirit so far. This will be Pugh’s first appearance in a World Cup with the senior team.

How to follow Mallory & the USWNT at the World Cup

Janine Beckie

Janine Beckie has a dual-citizenship with Canada and the US. She currently plays for Manchester City FC after transferring from Sky Blue FC in 2018.

The 23-year-old striker was born in Colorado before moving to Saskatchewan where she lived for three years before returning. Upon return, Beckie attended Valor Christian High School before committing to Texas Tech University where she became the all-time leading scorer with 57 goals.

Beckie was selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash. During her time with the Dash, the Highlands Ranch native scored five goals in 38 appearances before being traded to Sky Blue FC in 2018. Beckie made 15 appearances with Sky Blue before announcing her departure from to Manchester City.

In 2014, Beckie represented Canada in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where she scored the game-winning goal against North Korea that helped Canada to advance to the knockout stage. The Colorado Real alum's three goals in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio allowed the Canadian team to secure the bronze medal.

Overall, Beckie has made 56 appearances with the Canadian national team and she's scored 25 goals. This will be Beckie’s first World Cup with the senior team.

How to follow along with Janine & Canada at the World Cup

Estelle Johnson

Johnson, 30, was born in Maroua, Cameroon before moving to Fort Collins, CO at the age of seven. She played for Fort Collins Arsenal and attended Rocky Mountain High School.

Johnson is an experienced defender who's played with a multitude of different teams around the world - Philadelphia Independence (2010-11), Sydney FC (2011-12), Western New York Flash, Washington Spirit (2015-18) and Sky Blue FC (2018-present).

In 2014, cven after such an accomplished career, Johnson had never competed in a World Cup and was ready to hang up her boots. That was until Cameroon qualified for the 2015 FIFA World Cup. Although not part of that team, Johnson saw an opportunity to reach a lifelong goal. Fast forward four years later and Johnson was named to Cameroon's preliminary roster on May 1, 2019 and made her debut 16 days later against Spain. On May 24, Johnson was officially named to Cameroon 2019 FIFA World Cup roster. 

“I’m extremely excited to have been named to the World Cup roster for Cameroon,” stated Johnson. “This is something I’ve wanted since I was eight years old and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent my birth nation. I’m looking forward to an amazing experience! Allez Les Lionnes!”

How to follow Estelle & Cameroon at the World Cup

Lorne Donaldson

Donaldson is an assistant coach for the Jamaican team and is the Executive Director of Coaching at Real Colorado. Donaldson came to the states from Jamaica where he represented Jamaica as a player from 1975-79. Before coaching, Donaldson was a three-time All-American at the Metro State University in Denver and was inducted in the school's Hall of Fame. After his playing career, he served as an assistant coach for three years with the Roadrunners from 1983-85 before being named the head coach of the Colorado Foxes. In 1996, Donaldson was named the American Professional Soccer League Coach of the Year after Colorado Foxes successful season. Donaldson will help lead the the Reggae Girlz was they become the first Caribbean team to compete in the World Cup.

How to follow Lorne & Jamaica at the World Cup