Sophia Smith was the linchpin of the United States women's national team's attack Sunday, leading the team to a dominant 4-1 victory over Germany in the Paris Olympics group stage. The 23-year-old forward, who faced criticism after a crucial penalty miss in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the USWNT , silenced her doubters with two spectacular goals.
Smith set the tone early for head coach Emma Hayes' squad, demonstrating her precision and agility with a left-footed shot, beautifully assisted by Trinity Rodman. The early strike gave Team USA a 1-0 lead over Germany, energizing the team and the crowd alike. The commentary team noted her fluid and decisive movements, clearly indicating her intent to dominate on the big stage.
Her second goal was a testament to her ability to capitalize on opportunities and outmaneuver the defense. Receiving a well-placed pass, she steered around the German defenders to take a shot that took a significant deflection off a defender, looped up into the air, and hit the post before going in.
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The goal came just before halftime. It extended Team USA’s lead, and sent the squad into the break with a comfortable advantage. The crowd cheered, including a particularly enthusiastic fan wrapped in an American flag while sporting an airbrushed Bald Eagle on a flag-themed top hat.
In the second half, Team USA maintained its aggressive stance. Another star of the match, Mallory Swanson, scored in the 26th minute, showcasing the depth of talent in the USWNT's attacking lineup. The young trio of Smith, Swanson, and Trinity Rodman displayed remarkable chemistry, even jokingly being compared to Beyonce-led 2000 R&B group Destiny's Child online.
Smith's performance was not just a pivotal moment for the team but also marked her overcoming personal redemption. She sailed a vital penalty against Sweden in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup's round of 16 match.
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After missing the shot, Smith admitted to feeling heartbroken . Her teammates Lindsey Horan and Sam Mewis encouraged her on separate occasions: Horan immediately after the match and Mewis when Smith reflected on the miss during a podcast appearance.
"The World Cup experience was really tough. We knew that we had to stick together because it felt like us against the world," she said. "I obviously didn't do my part and put away my penalty. That's something I have to live with and obviously still makes me feel sick to this day. But I think it's just how you respond to that, and we can come away from it learning more about each other and ourselves.
The miss was a turning point for the team, leading to then-coach Vlatko Andonovski's resignation and Hayes' subsequent appointment . Fans and pundits alike praised Smith's outstanding performance under Hayes on X. Social media buzzed with admiration, with one fan tweeting, "Let Mal and Soph cook." Another user on X wrote, "The USWNT showing domination against Germany," and another said, "One step closer to Gold."
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