In the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup, Sophia Smith openly expressed her desire to become the first United States player to score a goal in the tournament. This ambition comes as no surprise, as Smith, like all exceptional athletes, has always envisioned herself as a star.
Growing up in Colorado as the youngest of three sisters, Smith constantly strived to keep up with her sporty siblings. She was often relegated to the middle seat in the car and tagged along to basketball practices, yearning for recognition. However, even as a young teenager, Smith believed she was destined for greatness. She confidently told her parents that she possessed the talent and drive to be a “special” soccer player, even aspiring to be the best of all time. Settling for anything less simply wasn’t an option for her.
“I’m a winner,” asserted Smith in an interview prior to the World Cup. “I have an insatiable need to win. Losing in any capacity sickens me. Whether it’s a card game or soccer, I always find a way to win.”
In the thrilling 3-0 victory over Vietnam, Smith once again demonstrated the validity of her gut feeling. In her first World Cup game, she not only scored the U.S. team’s inaugural goal of the tournament but also added another goal and provided an assist for the third. Despite her impressive performance, Smith believed she and her teammates could have scored even more goals.
Smith’s fantastic debut solidified the belief that the 22-year-old could emerge as the breakout star of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. In a team brimming with potential, with eight players making their World Cup debuts against Vietnam, Smith still managed to overshadow her teammates. However, it should be noted that her fellow players made valiant efforts to keep up.
At times, it seemed as though every member of the U.S. team had the opportunity to score multiple goals. Savannah DeMelo, in her first World Cup start and only her second appearance for the national team, had two excellent chances to find the back of the net. Rose Lavelle, finally returning to the field after a long injury layoff, also had multiple scoring opportunities as a second-half substitute, including one shot that appeared destined for success until it hit the crossbar.
Even Alex Morgan, the star forward competing in her fourth World Cup, could not match Smith’s performance. Morgan missed a penalty kick just before halftime when the Vietnam goalkeeper, Thi Kim Tranh Tran, saved her low shot.
Reflecting on the victory, Morgan admitted that while she was content with the win, she was dissatisfied with her penalty attempt. She believed that the first game of the World Cup would not set the tone for the entire tournament.
United States Coach Vlakto Andonovski acknowledged that his team, aiming to win an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, should have converted more of the numerous opportunities they created. He expressed a desire for greater efficiency in front of the goal. The U.S. team has limited time to make adjustments before facing the Netherlands, a considerably tougher opponent. However, Andonovski is confident that his players will analyze their mistakes and regain their usual scoring rhythm before the deadline on Thursday.
Andonovski had no doubts that the United States would be prepared for the challenge ahead. He praised the team’s performance against Vietnam, considering that the starting lineup had never played together before, and six players, including Smith, had never participated in a World Cup match.
“I’m sure the nerves played a role in the subpar finishing,” he explained. “However, I’m not concerned about it.”
Andonovski was encouraged by the team’s style of play and the numerous opportunities they generated. Smith shared his optimism, stating that as the team becomes more relaxed, gains more touches on the ball, and connects more passes, they will settle down and feel more confident.
Despite feeling nervous before the game, a new sensation for her, Smith remained composed during critical moments. This was evident in her previous achievements, such as helping Stanford win an N.C.A.A. championship in 2019, where she scored a hat trick in the semifinals. In her first professional game with the Portland Thorns in 2020, she scored a goal after just three minutes.
However, the World Cup presents a new level of competition and intensity, even against Vietnam. Smith is now at a pivotal point in her career, experiencing a range of new emotions and facing higher stakes. Yet, since childhood, she has always been prepared for this moment.
“Regardless of who scores or the final score, a win is a win,” Smith emphasized prior to the Vietnam game. “And if it takes me scoring numerous goals for our team to win, I’ll gladly do so.”
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