He is one of the great sensations of the NWSL and made his debut at the World Cup with a double, assist and ‘MVP’
Lloyd, Morgan and Rapinoe agree that he will be the new star of the United States team
When Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe they played their first World Cup in 2011, Sophia Smith (Windsor, Colorado, August 10, 2000) was only eleven years old. Twelve summers later, and after a couple of seasons shining in the North American NWSL, the forward of the Portland Thorns (with a contract until 2025) is the image of the change of a United States team that has been retiring its stars.
Her name appeared in all the pools as a potential revelation player of the tournament and her debut in the World Cup could not have been better. She led her team to victory against Vietnam with a double of goals and an assist for the captain Lindsey Horan made the third to make himself known throughout the planet.
“I was looking forward to the start of the tournament, I felt very good at a professional level, so I went out and just wanted to be myself,” she said after debuting in a World Cup with the absolute.
PRAISE
Carli Lloydthe 2015 World Cup star who retired two years ago and the third all-time leading goalscorer for the United States, sees in Smithwho began her career in professional football after being chosen by Thorns as the ‘1st pick-up’ of the draft of 2020, the future star of the national team, although he warned of the dangers of the pressure that this label implies:
“He has shown that he can be a goal-scoring machine from various positions, but I hope he can manage all these emotions and cut himself out from all the noise to just focus on football. He has a great opportunity to show what he’s made of globally. It’s the next step for him to take.”
After its spectacular premiere, Morgan he referred to her as “THAT girl” [“ESA chica”]. AND rapinoe He went further: “He has no limits, he’s incredible. If he performs at this level at such a young age, he can do whatever he wants. Records are there to be broken. He’s already at the top and he’s only 22 years old.”
GENERATIONAL CHANGE
Far away and forever in memory remain the goals of wambach (184, between 2001 and 2015), Hamm (158, between 1987 and 2004), Lloyd (134 between 2005 and 2021), lilly (130 between 1987 and 2010), Akers (107 between 1985 and 2000), Milbrett (100 between 1991 and 2005), Parlow (75 between 1996 and 2004), Press (since 2003, out of the World Cup due to injury) and the aforementioned Morgan (121 since 2010) and rapinoe (63 since 2006). It is time for change in the United States.
And if nothing goes wrong Sophia Smith is called to be the leader of the new generation of the eternal favorite, which also has promises that will take over as Trinity Rodman (2002) and alyssa thompson (2004). This trident promises many successes.