Enter, Sophia Smith, a talented U.S. women’s national team forward without a World Cup appearance, on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at Eden Park. Exit, Sophia Smith, the youngest USWNT player to score multiple goals in her World Cup debut. No longer a mere player on a world’s stage, instead she is “THAT girl,” as teammate Alex Morgan said.
From Colorado to Stanford and the youth national team to the No. 1 overall draft pick for the Portland Thorns and 2022 NWSL most valuable player, Smith has been preparing for this moment for years. While observers of the NWSL have known the depth of her talent for two years, she officially introduced herself on the biggest stage yet — less than three weeks before her 23rd birthday. She ended Saturday involved in every USWNT goal in the 3-0 defeat of Vietnam: scoring two, and providing an assist.
But what makes up “THAT girl”? It’s much more than a nose for goal and a killer left foot. Behind her smile and shrug is an athlete that relishes one-on-one challenges, beats defenders from anywhere, reads a defensive shift and breaks it down herself. She has the feet, the brains and the stomach for the pressure of leading the USWNT. Smith is pure ruthlessness with a smile.
She’s THAT girl. Great team win💥
