Portland Thorns star Sophia Smith appeared to suffer a right knee injury in a game against the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Smith slid awkwardly on her right knee just before halftime and had to be helped off the field.
- She walked to the bench under her own power but was on crutches by halftime.
- The game against Washington was just Smith’s second since playing with the U.S. Women’s National Team in the World Cup. She returned to NWSL action on Aug. 20 to help power the Thorns to a 2-1 win over the North Carolina Courage.
Backstory
In her first game back with Portland, Smith subbed in and immediately scored in the 69th minute. The reigning NWSL MVP now has 11 goals on the season and leads the Golden Boot race.
While playing in the World Cup, Smith tallied two goals in the USWNT’s opener against Vietnam but was held scoreless throughout the following three games.
Smith was drafted by Portland with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft out of Stanford University,
Required reading
(Photo: Amber Searls/USA Today)
