Sophia Smith, a name synonymous with excellence in women's soccer, has carved a remarkable path from her early days dominating youth leagues to becoming a national champion and MVP in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). This article delves into the journey of this exceptional athlete, highlighting her achievements, accolades, and impact on the sport.
Sophia Smith during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Early Years and High School Success
Wilson began playing co-ed soccer as a young child. Smith's father recognized her exceptional talent early on, noting her dominance in a 3-on-3 league when she was just six years old. On a car ride to one of her games, she told her father she was going to score ten goals, which she did accomplish.
Smith attended Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, where she played for the varsity soccer and basketball teams as a freshman. She notched 10 goals and 4 assists in just 8 games and was named First-Team All-Conference. She also played for the varsity basketball team. Smith played club soccer for Real Colorado and was first called up to the U-14 national team in 2013.
With Real Colorado, Wilson and the team finished runners-up at the ECNL National Championship in 2014 and 2016 and finished in fourth place in 2015. As a high schooler, Wilson and her family would frequently drive 3-4 hours from Fort Collins to Denver and back for soccer practice with youth national teams.
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Collegiate Career at Stanford
Wilson attended Stanford University where she played for the Cardinal. During the 2019 season, Wilson scored 17 goals and provided 9 assists in 21 appearances. She was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list and helped lead the Cardinal to win the 2019 NCAA College Cup.
She scored a hat-trick in the semi-final, leading Stanford to defeat the UCLA Bruins. Stanford went on to win the national title via a penalty shootout in the final, with Wilson making her shot in the shootout. Wilson was named the College Cup's Most Outstanding Offensive Player and earned All-Tournament team honors.
Professional Career with Portland Thorns
She was picked first overall by the Thorns in the 2020 NWSL College Draft. In 2021, she led the Thorns in scoring on their way to winning the NWSL Shield. In 2022, she led the Thorns to the NWSL Championship and was named the NWSL Most Valuable Player and Championship MVP.
Wilson scored three goals in five matches in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. She earned league MVP honors for the 2022 NWSL season. On April 1, 2023, Wilson scored her first professional hat-trick in a 4-1 victory against the Kansas City Current. She was named NWSL Player of the Month for March/April and to the NWSL Best XI of the month. Two months later in June, she was named NWSL Player of the Month for the second time during the 2023 season after scoring six goals in four matches. Despite a knee injury that kept her out for three games after returning from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Wilson went on to finish the 2023 season as the league's top scorer.
Here's a summary of Sophia Smith's NWSL achievements:
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Alex Morgan, Mal Pugh, Sophia Smith: Who's the next NWSL MVP?
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Drafted first overall by Portland Thorns |
| 2021 | Led Thorns in scoring, NWSL Shield winner |
| 2022 | NWSL Champion, NWSL MVP, Championship MVP |
| 2023 | NWSL Golden Boot |
Sophia Smith named 2022 NWSL Most Valuable Player.
International Career
Smith played for the under-17 and under-20 teams before making her senior debut for the United States in 2020. She was named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2022.
She was part of the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. During the team's first group stage match against Vietnam, she scored a brace and provided the assist for the third goal in the team's 3-0 win. In the United States' knockout stage match against Sweden, Wilson played all 90 minutes of regulation time as well as all 30 minutes of extra time. At the end of extra time, with a score of 0-0, the match moved to a penalty shootout.
Sophia Smith's journey is a testament to her dedication, talent, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. From her early days in youth soccer to her current status as a professional player and international star, she continues to inspire aspiring athletes and fans alike.
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