United States women’s national team forward Sophia Smith got the ball rolling for the U.S. on Friday when the 22-year-old standout notched the Americans’ first two goals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the USWNT beginning its pursuit of an unprecedented third straight World Cup title, Smith propelled her squad to a 2–0 first-half lead in its opener against Vietnam in New Zealand.
A nifty lay off pass from star Alex Morgan hit Smith in stride with a defender draped all over her, but she would not be denied as she fired a shot off her left foot that zipped into the net at the 14-minute mark–the quickest goal of this year’s tournament thus far.
Smith’s score not only went down as the USWNT’s first goal of the ’23 World Cup, but the play also marked Morgan’s 50th career assist.
SOPHIA SMITH!
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 22, 2023
1-0 USWNT 🇺🇸
(via @FOXSoccer)pic.twitter.com/E37NNCVbcQ
The reigning U.S. Soccer Player of the Year and NWSL MVP, Smith, a star for the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, led the national team with 11 goals in 17 appearances in 2022. Now, she’s off to a rousing start in a big spot once again.
Smith’s impact continued to be felt as the first half continued, as she found the back of the net for a second score at the 45-minute-plus mark in extra time.
Initially, the goal appeared in danger of being overturned following a lengthy VAR review, but the call eventually held up to give Smith a historic first-half brace.
With her two-goal debut, Smith is now the second-youngest player in USWNT history to score multiple goals in a World Cup game, and the youngest to do so since 2003, per the team.
IT'S A BUBBLE BRAID BRACE FOR THE @USWNT'S SOPHIA SMITH! 🇺🇸👑 pic.twitter.com/BzhFsCbjUe
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 22, 2023
