The globe now knows the name, Sophia Smith. The winger helped lead the United States women's national team to victory against Vietnam and first place in Group E with a 3-0 win. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski selected multiple World Cup first-timers in his starting lineup, including Smith who scored two goals in the first half. Lindsey Horan, USWNT co-captain, extended the lead in the second half thanks to a Smith assist.
Eight players made their World Cup debut, six of the starters, and two of them substitutions. The game did contain early jitters, as the team struggled to connect passes as a result of too many touches at times, perhaps a result of a new starting lineup that hasn't played together often. Still, the new faces on the team had good performances, which is a different type of victory. The squad will be disheartened not to have had more goals, but it was the win they wanted to start the tournament.
Sophia Smith makes herself known
The player pool sustained a number of injury setbacks ahead of the World Cup. Catarina Macario and Christen Press suffered ACL injuries and Mallory Swanson ruptured her patella tendon during the USWNT's final international window ahead of their final roster drop. Press and Swanson part were part of the 2019 World Cup winning squad, and Smith was often opposite of Swanson along the top line during the build-up to the 2023 World Cup. The absence perhaps placed a bit more pressure on Smith in this moment.
"I feel relief," Smith said after the game. "I was a little bit anxious going into the tournament and so it's good to have a game under our belt and get a feel for what to expect. But we know that the next two games are going to be hard. We're going to celebrate this for a second then put our focus into the next game."
There are 14 total players who are participating in their first-ever World Cup with the USWNT roster. Eight of them made their debuts and while there were good moments from individuals, Smith was the standout. Attackers dominated the offensive stats in this game, with 28 shots and seven attempts on target, but Smith's two goals and one assist make her the player of the match. Still, she wants more from herself for the team moving forward.
"Whatever it takes to help this team win," Smith said after the game. "I'm happy with where we are but I think we have little more in us."
Julie Ertz is back...as a defender
Ertz's partnership alongside Naomi Girma may have just been a sign of more things to come as the backline held Vietnam to a clean sheet with zero shots and zero attempts on target. No easy task against a Vietnam side that can be clinical on a counterattack.
"Obviously we'll go back and watch the film and learn from it and continue to grow," Ertz said post-game. But a win is huge and it's everything and that was our main goal, especially to kind of start out and have a win I think helps with momentum for sure."
Ertz return to the pitch came with headlines due to her extended absence from the team since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She took time to rehab an extensive MCL sprain, that she wasn't fully fit from during the Olympics, and later was on maternity leave. After the birth of her son last August, Ertz was a player often asked about in press conferences, despite not making any public statements about a desire to return to play.
Her inclusion on the USWNT's April roster came with more of Andonovski's repeated mantra that club play was a final indicator for roster selection. Ultimately she signed with Angel City FC where she has slotted back into her familiar defensive midfielder role. But Ertz is no stranger to playing defense, was once a centerback on this team, and won her first World Cup title back in 2015 as a debutant playing there herself.
Her presence on the backline meant an immediate boost in communication and organization and she's a player who is bringing lock-it-up and shut-it-down energy despite being away for nearly two years.
"Honestly, I feel like I'm at the point where I'm like, 'Okay, I mean, I've been grinding to get back' so I think --you never take any World Cup for granted -- but when you're out there, it's go time. And the only emotion that I have is just grit and determination at this point."
Under-the-radar performances
Savannah DeMelo made her second start for the national team and got the jitters out of the way early. She was a constant presence in the attack for the team when plays were building, and was an asset on set pieces. Despite the lack of goals from nine corner kicks, her service was near clinical and could feature for the team more as Lavelle works her way back. Early chemistry between her, Emily Fox, and Trinity Rodman along the right side could be the beginning of something special.
Rose Lavelle's appearance off the bench reached a nearly 45-minute performance after all the stoppage time ended. She had an immediate impact as a sub unlocking Vietnam's high pressure marking, and got good looks on goal. If she's close to 90 minutes by the end of the group watch out for the knockout rounds.
What's next
The U.S. national team will now look ahead to matchday two where they will face the Netherlands on July 26. It'll be a repeat of the 2019 final, and the toughest test for the USWNT before they meet Portugal to close out the group stage.