U.S. women’s national team star Sophia Smith said she’s “heartbroken” after her side’s shock early exit from the 2023 World Cup.
The USWNT fell in a penalty shootout to Sweden, exiting the tournament in the round of 16 after finishing no worse than third in all eight previous World Cups.
The manner of defeat was particularly painful for Smith, who had a chance to seal a spot in the quarterfinals for the USWNT, only to miss her penalty in the shootout. Sweden would go on to defeat the U.S. on a deciding penalty that crossed the line by millimeters.
Smith’s first World Cup didn’t go exactly according to plan. The 22-year-old entered the tournament with massive expectations after winning the NWSL MVP and U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2022. The forward has carried that form into 2023, where she’s put together another MVP-caliber season with the Portland Thorns.
But after scoring a brace in the USWNT’s World Cup opener against Vietnam, Smith failed to get on the scoresheet in any of the team’s next three games. Her last touch of the World Cup, a missed penalty that could have clinched progression, will be a painful memory to carry.
Smith took to social media in her first public comments after the Sweden game, thanking fans for their support and vowing to overcome the challenging moment in her career.
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“Heartbroken,” she said. “This World Cup was filled with just about every emotion possible, what I’ve learned is more valuable than any experience I’ve ever had.
“Thank you to those who believed and supported us throughout the tournament, and most importantly to those who still do and never stopped. It wouldn’t be life without moments like this, and I know without a doubt we will be back and hungrier than ever.”
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