The Portland Thorns’ star forward Sophia Smith will be competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Smith was selected to the U.S. Women’s National team roster for the Olympics in Paris that begins next month, alongside Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey.
Smith, 23, will be competing in her first Olympics. She has scored 10 goals in NWSL play, tied for the league lead, and she is tied for second in assists with six.
“It’s always an honor to represent the United States, but to do so at the Olympics is a privilege that is difficult to put into words,” Smith said in a statement. “Every kid dreams of getting to be a part of the Olympics.”
Coffey, who will also be making her Olympics debut, returned from an ankle injury and played during the Thorns’ loss to the Kansas City Current on Sunday.
USWNT coach Emma Hayes named her 18-player roster for the Olympics, saying difficult choices had to be made.
“Making an Olympic roster is a huge privilege and an honor and there is no denying that it was an extremely competitive process among the players and that there were difficult choices, especially considering how hard everyone has worked over the past 10 months,” Hayes said in a statement.
The team will begin their Olympic schedule with a match against Zambia on July 25. The team will close out group play with games against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31.