Sophia Smith scores twice for US in in 3-0 victory over Vietnam to open the Women's World Cup

Alright, everybody, thanks for coming last game before we head down under that. I wanna share with you guys. This is gonna be my last season. Um my last World Cup in my last Nwl season. Um Obviously, there'll be more to come further down down the road after hopefully, we get done. What we want to get done can't brush that. I, I'm just really grateful to be able to do it in this way. I understand that it is incredibly rare for athletes of any stature to be able to go out in their own way on their own terms at the time that they want in *** way that feels really peaceful and settled for them. So I feel very grateful that I, that I'm here and I have the trust of this team and that my body has held up this long to be able to do this. So I just wanted to do it now and honestly kind of get it out of the way before we go down to New Zealand. So we can focus on the task at hand, which is winning another World Cup. So, um I mean, I think just the way the cycles lined up having this be *** World Cup, uh being *** World Cup year and, you know, being able to be in *** place, you know, physically that I still feel like I have *** lot to contribute. Um I think kind of at the beginning of, of this year, sort of knew that, uh I wanted to play the end of, you know, through the end of this year, obviously hoping to make the World Cup team and, and have 11 last chance at that. Um, you know, it was really important to me and something that I really wanted you had, I just started, I know what it is to lose in *** World Cup final and I certainly don't want to do that again. So, um, the best way that I could possibly go out is, is winning and so it feels really easy to focus and, and easy to put my all into it and easy to be really settled and, um, excited for what's, you know, undoubtedly going to be the best World Cup that we've ever seen. I get you happy for her that she's ready to announce that she wants this last year to, she wants to end on *** high note and she's, you know, she's doing it her way. And I think that's the most important thing is *** lot of people who retire from sport, soccer or sport in general don't always get to do it. On their terms and she's able to do that and she deserves that. I don't think we need extra motivation to want to perform well and win in this World Cup, but he is one of my good friends and of course you want someone to go out on top of the world. And I think there would be no better thing for us to be able to win in New Zealand and Australia for this country and this team and for her, that's it. There's ***, I don't even think there's words to say what pinot has meant to the growth of soccer in this country and not just this country worldwide. She is *** legend. She has spoken up and talked about *** lot of issues that were never talked about before. She's used her platform in the best ways to create change and on the field. I mean, she's *** legend. So it is *** really sad and bittersweet time, but I'm excited to be able to kind of go on this last journey with her in the World Cup and see all the great things that she does after her career. This I shake.

Sophia Smith scored twice for the United States in the opening half and the two-time defending champions kicked off the Women's World Cup with a 3-0 victory over tournament first-timers Vietnam on Saturday.Lindsey Horan added a goal for the favored Americans, who have won four World Cups overall and are vying for an unprecedented three-peat in this year's tournament.Vietnam drew comparisons to Thailand, the team the Americans routed 3-0 in their 2019 World Cup opening game. But Vietnam was surprisingly resilient, kept the game closer than expected, and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh stopped Alex Morgan's first-half penalty attempt.Morgan was knocked to the field clutching her calf after trying for the rebound off her missed penalty, but she quickly returned. It was just her second penalty miss for the United States.Smith, one of 14 Americans playing in their first-ever World Cup, showed why she was named both U.S. Soccer's Player of the Year and the National Women's Soccer League MVP last year with her two first-half goals.Smith scored off a pass from captain Lindsey Horan in the 14th minute. Smith and Horan celebrated with a choreographed handshake after the goal. She scored again in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-0 going into the break. The United States was at first flagged as offside before a video review confirmed the goal.The U.S. team was infused with young talent including Smith and Trinity Rodman after settling for a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Among the veterans, 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe made her 200th international appearance against Vietnam.Rapinoe, who scored in the World Cup final in France and was named that tournament's best player, did not start. She announced before the team left for New Zealand that this would be her last World Cup and she would retire from her professional team at the end of the season.Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle, who were both limited by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, both came in as substitutes in the 63rd minute. Rapinoe sported bright blue hair.The youngest player on the team, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, was also a second-half sub.Horan scored into a wide-open net off a pass from Smith, who was rushed by the goalkeeper and deftly sent the ball back to her. Horan, who was recently engaged, kissed her ring in celebration.There was early drama when Rodman, the daughter of former NBA great Dennis Rodman and one of the young newcomers on the team, appeared injured after falling hard on her back when she was tackled by defender Tran Thi Thu. Rapinoe warmed up on the sidelines and a stretcher was brought out on the field, but Rodman stood and returned to the match a few moments later.Saturday’s game was the first meeting between the United States and Vietnam. The Vietnamese lost two exhibition matches ahead of the tournament and fell 9-0 to Spain in a closed-door tune-up match in Auckland last Friday.Also in Group E are the Netherlands and Portugal, which meet Sunday in Dunedin. Portugal is also making its first World Cup appearance.The group plays all of their matches in New Zealand, which is co-hosting the tournament with Australia. The United States plays the Netherlands in a 2019 final rematch on Thursday in Wellington.Should the United States top the group, the team will head to Sydney for the round of 16.Back home in the United States, a sign was erected on the North Lawn of the White House that said “Go Team USA! We are all behind you.”

Lindsey Horan added a goal for the favored Americans, who have won four World Cups overall and are vying for an unprecedented three-peat in this year's tournament.

Vietnam drew comparisons to Thailand, the team the Americans routed 3-0 in their 2019 World Cup opening game. But Vietnam was surprisingly resilient, kept the game closer than expected, and goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh stopped Alex Morgan's first-half penalty attempt.

Morgan was knocked to the field clutching her calf after trying for the rebound off her missed penalty, but she quickly returned. It was just her second penalty miss for the United States.

Smith, one of 14 Americans playing in their first-ever World Cup, showed why she was named both U.S. Soccer's Player of the Year and the National Women's Soccer League MVP last year with her two first-half goals.

Smith scored off a pass from captain Lindsey Horan in the 14th minute. Smith and Horan celebrated with a choreographed handshake after the goal. She scored again in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-0 going into the break. The United States was at first flagged as offside before a video review confirmed the goal.

The U.S. team was infused with young talent including Smith and Trinity Rodman after settling for a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Among the veterans, 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe made her 200th international appearance against Vietnam.

Rapinoe, who scored in the World Cup final in France and was named that tournament's best player, did not start. She announced before the team left for New Zealand that this would be her last World Cup and she would retire from her professional team at the end of the season.

Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle, who were both limited by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, both came in as substitutes in the 63rd minute. Rapinoe sported bright blue hair.

The youngest player on the team, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, was also a second-half sub.

Horan scored into a wide-open net off a pass from Smith, who was rushed by the goalkeeper and deftly sent the ball back to her. Horan, who was recently engaged, kissed her ring in celebration.

There was early drama when Rodman, the daughter of former NBA great Dennis Rodman and one of the young newcomers on the team, appeared injured after falling hard on her back when she was tackled by defender Tran Thi Thu. Rapinoe warmed up on the sidelines and a stretcher was brought out on the field, but Rodman stood and returned to the match a few moments later.

Saturday’s game was the first meeting between the United States and Vietnam. The Vietnamese lost two exhibition matches ahead of the tournament and fell 9-0 to Spain in a closed-door tune-up match in Auckland last Friday.

Also in Group E are the Netherlands and Portugal, which meet Sunday in Dunedin. Portugal is also making its first World Cup appearance.

The group plays all of their matches in New Zealand, which is co-hosting the tournament with Australia. The United States plays the Netherlands in a 2019 final rematch on Thursday in Wellington.

Should the United States top the group, the team will head to Sydney for the round of 16.

Back home in the United States, a sign was erected on the North Lawn of the White House that said “Go Team USA! We are all behind you.”

Sophia Smith scores twice for US in in 3-0 victory over Vietnam to open the Women's World Cup

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