OneFootball
Emily Wilson·6 January 2023
OneFootball
Emily Wilson·6 January 2023
The United States Womenâs National Team have confirmed their 2022 Player of the Year on Friday.
Sophia Smith earns the honours this time, becoming the youngest player to win the award (22) since Mia Hamm in 1994.
The Portland Thorns forward finished the year as the leading scorer for club and country, became the youngest-ever NWSL MVP and was also the NWSL Championship Game MVP.
âObviously this is surreal, and Iâm super humbled,â said Smith. âItâs been a very exciting year, and certainly thereâs been some challenges, but just being able to grow and develop in the environments with the National Team and the Thorns, and being surround by such amazing players, players that I have looked up to for so long, has pushed me to become a better player and person.â
âIâve said many times, if you embrace these environments, you have no choice but to get better and grow, and thatâs a testament to the players, coaches and all of the staff.
âI appreciate everyone holding me to such high standards day in and day out. This award wouldnât be possible without all those people, and the best thing about it, is that itâs fun too. The journey is so much better when you are doing something so fun and something you love.â
Smith is just the fourth player to win both the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year alongside Tobin Heath, Julie Ertz and Lindsey Horan.