Sophia Smith named 2022 US Women’s Soccer Player of the Year

Colorado’s Sophia Smith is on a frenzy like no other. US Her Football officially named her her 2022 Women’s Player of the Year. Real Her Colorado Her football offering joins former award-winning locals Lindsey Horan and Mallory Pugh Swanson.

A clear and confident 22-year-old, she was the top scorer for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT). Smith is the youngest player to lead the United States in scoring since the great Mia Her Ham scored her ten goals in 1993.

Smith scored 10 goals in just 22 games, making him the sixth-fastest player to score double figures in the USWNT’s long history.

At the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) at Portland Thorns FC, Smith was named the league’s MVP, paying the same tribute for her heroic performance in the NWSL Championship Game.

Her 14 goals came in 18 appearances, 16 of which came in the starting line-up for Thorns.

To cap off her string of awards, the speedy attacking winger learned last week that she was named U.S. Women’s Soccer Player of the Year.

She received nearly 51% of the votes submitted, thus clearly beating out runner-up US Women’s National Team veteran Alex Morgan, who received 18.4% of the total number of votes submitted.

In 2015, Real Colorado Youth Soccer Club teammate Mallory Pugh Swanson took home the top prize, while in 2013 Rush Colorado standout Lindsay Horan took home the money.

According to US Soccer, the US Soccer Female Player of the Year vote will be voted on by the coaches of each national team, the players who will win the cap in 2022, members of the US Soccer Board of Directors, the US Soccer Players Council, and the National Women’s Soccer League. Collected from the head coach. We invited media people, administrators and college coaches.

Fans will also be able to participate in voting, and their share will be 15% of the total.

USWNT Director Vlatko Andonovski said after the winners were announced, “It’s been a big year for Sophia. She deserves this recognition, but how far can she go from here? “She’s a special player with special qualities, but the best part is her humility, work ethic and willingness to continue to develop every aspect of her game.” is to be.”

Last fall, the talkative native of small-town Windsor, Colorado, spoke candidly at a press conference, announcing clearly and calmly her intentions to become the best female soccer player on the planet.

She explained what it takes to reach such a big milestone.

“I know I need someone to push me. I need someone to have very high standards for me. Ultimately, I understand that it’s helped me get better and grow.

She added: “I have said many times that if you accept these circumstances, you have no choice but to get better and grow. Thank you to all of you for holding us to a high standard, this award would not be possible without them and the best thing about it is that it’s also fun. Traveling is so much better when you’re doing something you love.”

Smith ended the interview with an insightful remark: But I think it’s just putting myself in an environment where I know I will be challenged and get better and grow every day. ”

Smith has scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for Team USA. She recorded her 1,192 minutes played, ranking her second on the team.

Two of her goals came in front of a sold-out crowd at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City against Columbia.

This spring, Smith scored his first hat-trick against Uzbekistan. In doing so, she became her youngest USWNT player since 2000 to record a hat her trick in USWNT history.

“Throughout my career, our investment in women’s football has grown tremendously. If you put the game on a channel that grabs attention and is easy to watch like the men…and if you make the investment and take the time, it’s really great. I think people are finally starting to realize that it’s a sport, people want to watch it, people care about it.”

“Obviously, this is unrealistic and I am very humbled. And just being surrounded by great players that I looked up to… Over the years, I’ve been inspired to become a better player and a better person.”

Andonovski is one of her top champions. He explained her coachable nature and strengths. “As a coach, she’s always looking for that edge to be better and more productive, so it’s fun to work with her.” As a person, she’s been a great addition to our team, a great teammate, and we look forward to another great year in 2023.”

The senior team manager invited Smith to the first evaluation camp with the senior team from January 5-15, 2020.

Smith is currently rehabbing a leg he injured while playing last fall. As a result, Andonovski didn’t invite her last week to the team’s next camp in New Zealand later this month.

He detailed his reasons in his final press conference:

“We felt it was time to fix this and make sure there were no problems going forward,” he continued. Due to the treatment she received in December, she was unable to train, pick up the speed and gain the fitness she needed to attend camp in January. ”