Sophia Smith Leads U.S. Women's Soccer Revival At Olympics

United States' Mallory Swanson, left, reacts after teammate Trinity Rodman, right, scored a goal during a women's group B match between the United States and Zambia at Nice Stadium at the 2024 Summer

Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman are making waves at the Olympics as part of the U.S. women's soccer team's formidable front three. Their cohesive play has helped the United States regain its reputation as a team to be reckoned with on the international stage.

Smith expressed her excitement about their synergy, stating that they are only operating at 70% of their potential and are continuously improving as they play more games together. The trio's performance is a stark contrast to the disappointment of the Women's World Cup last year, where Smith was left in tears after the United States' early exit.

Swanson has scored three goals, Smith has netted two, and Rodman contributed the team's first goal of the tournament in France. Smith's two goals in the 4-1 victory over Germany secured the team's spot in the quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement under coach Emma Hayes.

Smith, Swanson, and Rodman show promising synergy.

Front three's cohesive play boosts U.S. team's performance.

Smith's redemption from Women's World Cup disappointment.

Swanson scores three goals, Smith nets two in Olympics.

Team's success under coach Emma Hayes' guidance.

The United States, known for its dominance in women's soccer with four Olympic gold medals, had to settle for bronze in Tokyo before facing setbacks in the World Cup. A loss to Mexico led to a drop in the FIFA rankings to No. 5, the lowest in the team's history.

Hayes emphasized the importance of building connections within the team, highlighting the need for stability and understanding among players. Smith, who has 52 national team appearances and 22 goals since 2020, has thrived in her central role under Hayes' guidance.

Smith's success extends to her club career with the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, where she was named the league's MVP and U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2022. Her partnership with Swanson, a longtime teammate from their Colorado club days, and the dynamic play of Rodman have been instrumental in the team's success at the Olympics.

The trio's collective efforts have resulted in six of the team's seven goals heading into the group finale against Australia. Their diverse playing styles complement each other, with Rodman's creativity on the flank, Swanson and Smith's central playmaking, and their ability to work together effectively.

As the U.S. team continues to evolve under Hayes' leadership, the trio's performance at the Olympics signals a resurgence for American women's soccer on the global stage.