Sophia Smith: The girl with the world at her feet.
With the National Women’s Soccer League in America coming to an end, one player stands out above the rest, after winning the NWSL MVP (Most Valuable Player), Portland Thorn’s number 9 Sophia Smith puts her name in shining lights ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.
Smith’s Rise to the World Cup
It was no shock when the 22 year old received her call up to the World cup by manager Vlatko Andonovski, hitting the back of the net 10 times in 13 games for Portland Thorns in their NWSL championship winning campaign, along with 5 crucial assists, Sophia Smith establishes her name to be known by all on the biggest stage. After playing for Real Colorado in her early years, and succeeding for Stanford at college level, Smith was named the number 1 pick in the 2020 NWSL draft, where she would introduce herself to the Portland Thorns. The well deserved call up to Andonovski’s world cup squad was inevitable after Smith’s 31 goals in 52 Thorn’s appearances.
Smith is no stranger to the USA National Team, receiving her first call up in 2020, Sophia Smith has since made 30 appearances and scored a respective 12 goals for her country, crediting Smith as a critical force for Andonovski’s side. Following the USA’s star striker Mallory Swanson being ruled out of the World Cup due to suffering a torn patella tendon back in April, this summer is a golden opportunity for young Sophia Smith to prove her talent on the World’s biggest stage.
What Sophia Smith has to offer
One word that fits Sophia Smith perfectly is versatility. The young American international is not shy to drift into numerous positions throughout a game, whether that be to the left or right flanks, or into a deeper position just behind a striking teammate, Sophia Smith proves her footballing excellence all over the pitch.
We see Smith benefit from dropping slightly deeper in the game against OL Reign back in May last season, her versatility allows Smith to receive her teammates progressive pass and draw the attention of opposing defenders towards herself, activating the opportunity for strike partner Morgan Weaver to run into the created gaps in defence, seize the through-ball from Smith and execute a shot on goal.
This product of Sophia Smith’s versatility shines a light on what to expect when Portland’s number 9 links up with stars such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe in Australia and New Zealand this summer. Smith’s ability to drift wide during attacks will pose as advantageous to USA during the world cup as it will cause the oppositions defence to be stretched, maximising the passing opportunities for the Americans if a central attack is not threatening the opposition.
Why Smith’s dribbling is a stand out factor
One factor that is an art to Smith’s game is her dribbling ability, Wyscout has reported that 54.3% of Smith’s dribbles have been successful for the Thorn’s this season, resulting in 6.38 progressive carries of the ball per 90 minutes, seeing the young American to land in the 96th percentile for dribbling ability when compared to other strikers in the NWSL. This high calibre of forward dribbles, alongside her versatility, enables Smith to get further up the pitch and into attacking positions, which has seen Sophia Smith hit the back of the net 10 times this season and execute a further 6.21 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes for her teammates, allowing Portland Thorns to be the top scorers in the NWSL this season with 49 goals.
From the USWNT’s perspective, this will come as a huge advantage to their attacking style of play looking into their opening game versus Vietnam. It is likely they will use a 4–3–3 formation with Smith playing as an inverted winger on the right, and with 3.49 successful take ons per 90 minutes, it is foreshadowed that Smith will positively attack from not only the right flank, but a more central position as well, proving to be a menace from the oppositions defence this summer and enhance the USWNT chance’s of winning the most prestigious trophy in football three times in a row after being crowned victorious in 2015 and again in 2019, the USA are hungry to make history.
