Sophia Smith - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Sophia Smith was born on August 27, 2000, in Windsor, Colorado, United States. She discovered her passion for soccer at a young age. Smith was only five years old when she began playing soccer, taking part in local children leagues. As she got older, she continued to play and attend Birmingham Groves High School where her outstanding talent soon became evident. Despite her young age, her ability to score goals made her stand out amongst her peers, marking the genesis of an aspiring soccer athlete.
High School and College Career
Sophia Smith's early talent was cultivated during her high school years, where she initially shone for the Colorado Storm Club, subsequently moving on to the Real Colorado. Smith's time at Real Colorado proved to be highly successful, securing a number of tournament victories for the team, leading to her recognition as one of America’s top football prospects. In January 2017, at the age of 16, she made her debut for the U.S. U17 Women’s National Team, and later that year earned a call-up to the U.S. U20 Women's National Team. Smith's college career began at Stanford University in 2018, where she continued to excel in her performance, scoring 24 goals in 33 appearances for Stanford Cardinal in two seasons.
Professional Career, Portland Thorns
After her second season at Stanford, Smith declared for the 2020 NWSL Draft where she placed herself in the professional women's soccer circuit. She was selected as the number one overall pick by the Portland Thorns FC, making her the first teenager to be taken as the first overall pick in the NWSL draft. Smith scored her first professional goal in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on the games, she has continued with her professional career in full swing.
International Career
On the international stage, Sophia Smith first represented the United States at the U-17 level and eventually ascended to the U-20 level. She was part of the United States U-20 squad at the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship and the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Smith made her debut for the U.S. senior national team on November 27, 2020, against the Netherlands. By age 20, she had the honor of representing her country in one of the most competitive teams in women's soccer worldwide.
Playing Style
As a forward, Sophia Smith is known for her speed, precision, and deftness in scoring goals. Her excellent footwork, coupled with her scoring instincts, make her a constant threat to opposition defenses. A consistent scorer from all areas in the attack, she is comfortable both with shooting from distance or finishing chances inside the penalty area. Her physical strength and technical skills allow her to hold up the ball under pressure, with a tendency to drop deep and link up play. Smith is also noted for her defensive contribution, often applying pressure on opposition defenders, which has earned her praise from coaches and fans alike.
Personal Life
Sophia Smith comes from a family that values education and sports. Alongside football, she invests her time in yoga, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. She's also passionate about charitable work, showing a strong commitment to giving back, especially to organizations that use sports to empower young girls. Throughout her life and career, Smith has strived to be a role model, consistently advocating for gender equality in sports and sharing her inspiring journey to inspire young athletes.
Career Highlights and Awards
Over her young career, Sophia Smith has already achieved notable successes. Among her accolades, Smith was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2017, scored her first professional goal in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and earned caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Her college career at Stanford University was equally impressive, with her performances earning her selection to the All-Pac-12 first team and the United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region. With a professional career still in its infancy, the future seems bright for this young forward.
