11 Things You Didn’t Know About Sophia Smith

Sophia Smith is a soccer star on a meteoric rise since her days at Stanford. You know her, you love her–but you don’t know everything about her. Here are some of our favorite fun facts about Sophia Smith, the future–and current–of the USWNT. 

Coached by greats

Smith’s soccer career began with Real Colorado in 2014. During her time there, she was coached by Lorne Donaldson, who is now the head coach for the Chicago Red Stars. 

An advocate for all

After losing her friend and teammate, Katie Meyer, to suicide, Smith began advocating for better mental health care. Particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown, Smith became very aware of the importance of consistently working on your mental health and continues to be outspoken about it.  

Fatherly advice

One of Smith’s most defining traits is her drive. She has said so herself that if she doesn’t have a goal or assist in a game, she feels a little disappointed, not because these numbers define her but because that is her job. This comes largely from advice she and her sisters got from their father: “be a little selfish.”     

A family affair

The Smiths are a big and talented family. Sophia is the youngest of three girls, all of whom grew up playing their father’s preferred sport of basketball. Sophia’s older sister Savannah was even the all-time leading scorer at the University of Northern Colorado for a while.

Animal lover

Growing up, the Smith house was a veritable zoo. Along with regular pets like fish and a dog, Smith grew up in a home with a sugar glider, a tortoise, a bunny, two parakeets, and two Guinea pigs.

Side hustle

Speaking of, Smith remains an animal love to this day. In fact, when she first moved to Portland, she signed up to be a dog walker for Rover.  

Multi-sport athlete

Smith has always been an athlete. Before she found soccer, she was part of the family tradition of basketball and even dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast for a while. One thing is for sure: she was always destined for greatness.

Love and soccer

You’ve no doubt seen pictures of Sophia Smith with her football player boyfriend, Michael Wilson, but have you heard the story of how they met? In the early, early days of their time at Stanford, Smith and Wilson saw each other from across the training room in their own respective ice baths, and the rest is history. 

Bookworm

Sophia is an avid reader! When she’s not on the pitch, she can probably be spotted turning through the pages of her latest romance or science fiction find.

Star sign

Sophia Smith is a Leo, and watching her play, she does seem like an absolutely classic fire sign. Smith is a center stage and enthusiastic player, when she is on the pitch it is all eyes on her. 

Meant for the pros

Smith always knew she would be something special. When she told her father she was giving up basketball for soccer at 14, she declared, “I’m going to be something special at soccer.” Imagine having that much confidence as a teenager!

Featured image via Getty Images

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS