Sophia Smith demonstrated why she could be one of the stars of this summer’s Women’s World Cup with two goals as the US comfortably saw off Vietnam 3-0 in their opening match.
The 22-year-old scored a clinical double in the first half of a dominant display by the reigning champions at Eden Park in Auckland and was named Player of the Match – with her father presenting her with the trophy.
Kenny Smith told his daughter he was “so proud” as he handed over the award and the pair then shared a hug.
As well as her two first-half goals, Smith later added an assist as Lindsey Horan scored a third for the US, who were not made to pay for some woeful finishing against a limited Vietnam team making their World Cup debut.
“I love playing with Lindsey, she’s such a great player. She has such a good eye for things that a lot of players don’t see,” Smith said afterwards. “She understands my game. She understands the runs I’m making before I even make them.”
Horan was quick to praise her younger team-mates, too, saying: “They’re confident, they’ve been in pressure situations. Soph Smith, look what she did. She does that every single day in training so it’s no shock to me. But it’s always great to have the first game to really calm everyone’s nerves and get the three points.”
Few people gave Vietnam much hope of beating the four-time champions in the Group E opener and the Asian side could have been further behind at half-time had US legend Alex Morgan not missed a penalty.
Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Kim Thanh saved Morgan’s spot-kick with her legs, sparking joyous celebrations from her team-mates.
The Vietnamese were given raucous support from neutrals inside Eden Park when they made rare forays into the US half, though they were unable to convert their spirited efforts to even a single shot.
The defending world champions had started brightly with four shots in the first ten minutes and Vietnam looked in danger of being blown away.
When Smith calmly slotted a first-time shot under Tran in the 14th minute to give the US the lead, it seemed the contest would be little more than a procession, reminiscent of the Americans’ 13-0 hammering of Thailand at the last World Cup.
But despite a smart shot on the turn from debutant Savannah Demelo, which was saved by Tran, the US created few clear chances until they won a penalty just before half-time.
Trinity Rodman was brought down in the 44th minute following a clumsy tackle from Thi Thu Tran and, after a lengthy VAR check, referee Bouchra Karboubi pointed to the spot for the sixth penalty in six matches at this World Cup.
After Morgan’s kick was saved, the veteran US striker tried to pounce on the rebound but was bundled over, though VAR ruled that she was not fouled.
The US did not have long to wait to make amends.
Moments later a deep cross by Emily Fox was contested by Morgan and the loose ball fell to Smith, who turned it home past the stranded goalkeeper. The assistant referee flagged Morgan as offside in the build-up but another glacial VAR check eventually ruled that the 34-year-old was onside.
The US wasted a host of chances in the second half, including a bad miss from Megan Rapinoe, who skied over from eight yards, minutes after coming off the bench for her 200th international appearance to a huge ovation.
Of her milestone, Rapinoe joked: “It feels old to reach that. My legs are like ‘You’ve earned it.’ It feels great, obviously, to have it be in a really meaningful game like a World Cup.”
Against Thailand in 2019, the US scored six goals in the final 15 minutes and after Horan’s goal in the 77th minute it appeared the floodgates were about to open.
By this point Vietnam’s energy was ebbing and Rose Lavelle almost scored a fourth but was denied by the crossbar with five minutes to go.
No team has ever won three World Cups in a row and the US will have to improve if they are to set that record – starting with a repeat of the 2019 final when they face the Netherlands on Thursday.
US coach Vlatko Andonovski is expecting an improved performance now the less experienced members of his squad have played their first World Cup match.
“I do believe that going into game two, they will go a little more encouraged, less nerves, no stress,” he said.
