Rapinoe praises 'incredible' Smith after World Cup brace

Megan Rapinoe praised “incredible” Sophia Smith for her two goals in the USA’s opening Women’s World Cup victory over Vietnam.

The 22-year-old opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added a second in first-half injury time before setting up the third for Lindsey Horan in a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Playing in her fourth World Cup, Rapinoe waxed lyrical about Smith’s debut, saying on fifa.com: “What can you say about that performance? She was incredible. She is incredible.

“That was no surprise to me, to any of us. She’s been doing that in the league for years now. The sky’s the limit for Sophia. Really.

“Performing at this level at such a young age, she can do whatever she wants to. Records are there to be broken. She’s already at the top. She’s only 22.” 

Smith, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, won her first cap in a game against the Netherlands in November 2020, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to appear for the senior US side.

Teenager Alyssa Thompson came on as a substitute against Vietnam and hailed the influence of Smith, saying: “I’m not surprised by her performance.

“She did what she always does. She’s such an amazing player and she’s always scoring goals. “She’s an even more amazing person. For me, at my age, she’s been really great with me. 

“She’s been such a positive influence on me both on and off the field. I’m very grateful to her and, right now, I’m very grateful she’s American.”