Sophia Smith picked a great time to break out of a slump Wednesday night.
Smith came off the bench to score a big goal against Canada in a Concacaf W Gold Cup semifinal match at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The Portland Thorns’ forward, capitalizing on a header through ball from Rose LaVelle, scored in the 99th minute of extra time to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead.
Smith was emotional after the score.
“It’s been an emotional ride for me personally since the World Cup,” Smith told CBS Sports after the match. “It’s just a big relief and I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”
Smith’s goal looked as if it would stand up, but a penalty was called on U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in extra time. Canada’s Adrianna Leon converted from the spot in the 127th minute to level the match at 2-2 and eventually send the match to penalty kicks.
Smith also got the team off on the front foot by converting the USWNT’s first penalty kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. On the other side, Naeher redeemed herself in the shootout. Naeher saved the first two penalty kicks she faced and she stopped three kicks overall. She converted one penalty kick herself to help the USWNT win 3-1 on penalty kicks and advance to the final.
Smith had struggled during the USWNT’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in group play last week. She was benched in favor of Alex Morgan at forward in the team’s 3-0 quarterfinal win against Colombia. Smith’s issues stem from her experience at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the U.S. lost to Sweden in penalty kicks in the quarterfinal round. Smith had a chance to win the game on the USA’s fifth kick, but she shot high.
“To miss a PK in a World Cup takes a toll on you mentally,” Smith told CBS Sports. “I feel like since then, I’ve been trying to work my way back. I obviously haven’t had a goal in this tournament. It’s hard as a forward to not get that and help the team in that way. So I think that goal was a release of a lot of emotions.”
Smith not only broke out of her slump, she may have exorcised a few demons.