Female Player of the Year

Making The Case: Sophia Smith for U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

Forward and 2022 Winner Earns Second Consecutive Nomination for Female Player of the Year

Reigning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith has earned her second consecutive nomination for year-end honors coming off a 2023 in which she led the National Women’s Soccer League in scoring and made her first World Cup roster at the senior level.

READ MORE: 2023 Female Player of the Year Nominees

Fans once again have the opportunity to vote for all U.S. Soccer end of year awards on ussoccer.com and at the links below. The fan vote will account for 15 percent of the overall vote tally, with the rest coming from National Team players, coaches, media, and other constituents.

VOTE NOW: Fan Voting for 2023 Player of the Year Awards

Take a look back at Sophia Smith’s 2023 for club and country:

Following a breakout 2022 campaign, the 23-year-old Smith put together another strong year for the USWNT despite missing time due to injury. She played in 11 matches - making nine starts - and led the teams with 15 shots on goal.

Smith finished the year with three goals and three assists while ranking second on the team with 17 chances created and third in total shots.

The 23-year-old Smith started every match for the U.S. at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, her first at the senior level, and tallied two goals and one assist in the USA’s tournament-opening victory over Vietnam.

WATCH: SMITH BAGS BRACE IN WORLD CUP OPENER

Smith became the 24th player all-time to score for the USWNT at a Women’s World Cup and at 22 years and 346 days of age, became the youngest player to net a brace in her World Cup debut and the second-youngest U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.

The 2022 NWSL MVP, Smith collected more league honors in 2023 for Portland Thorns FC, winning the Golden Boot after leading the league in scoring with 11 goals.

WATCH: GOALS ABOUND AS SMITH CLAIMS GOLDEN BOOT

The first Golden Boot winner in Thorns history and the club’s first player to score 10+ goals in back-to-back seasons, Smith finished the year with 11 goals and five assists in 17 regular season appearances, missing five matches due to injury and international duty.

She helped Portland finish second in the NWSL standings, was named to the NWSL Best XI First Team and was a finalist for league MVP.

This is Smith’s second consecutive – and second overall – nomination for U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. She won Female Player of the Year honors in 2022 and was named the Young Female Player of the Year in 2017. 

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