Sophia Smith - The Rising Star
SOCCER - FORWARD - USWNT - NWSL - PORTLAND THORNS FC
ARCHETYPE: THE RISING STAR
Day 96/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Sophia Smith plays forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team and Portland Thorns FC. For the USWNT, she’s one of the most promising prospects to continue the goal-scoring barrage fans expect of players like Alex Morgan, Christen Press, and Lynn Williams.
Despite being just 20 years old, Smith has long had the eye of talent scouts, playing up an age level to continue challenging herself and competing against the best in the game. At age 15, Smith played with the U-17 national team, and the U-20s when she was 17. She got her first senior national team call-up before she even started college.
In her sophomore season at Stanford, Smith led the team to a College Cup national title. She was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, thanks in part to a hat trick in the semifinal game.
Having reached the peak of her college career, Smith decided it was time to turn pro, to face new, tougher competition to help her grow into an even more formidable player. She declared for the NWSL draft and was selected No. 1 overall by Portland Thorns FC. In early May, the Thorns won the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Character Archetype: The Rising Star
You haven’t seen her play in a World Cup just yet, but you have to trust me. Sophia Smith can ball.
She’s just 20 years old, but that hasn’t stopped Smith from unleashing her offensive firepower, meeting the moment by scoring big goals in the biggest games of her career.
This includes a hat trick in the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA College Cup and leading Stanford to a national championship as a sophomore. That year, Smith left college and was selected No. 1 by Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL draft, where she has already won a Challenge Cup. Not a bad start to your pro club career.
This summer, Smith hopes to make the final roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team as they head to the Olympics. As we all know, the team has a legacy of excellence, and it’s crucial to find the up-and-coming talent and develop them early. Six forwards on the team are over 30 years old, which might be fine heading into the Summer Games, but the team needs new options before the 2023 World Cup if they want to go for the three-peat. So, keep your eye on Smith. She’s about to go off.