“No injury is good news but thankful it wasn’t worse.” Sophia Smith’s words in 2023 after suffering an MCL sprain, scaring the life out of the Spirit’s medics. Injury is perhaps one of the biggest nightmares for any athlete. Not only it can hinder one’s remarkable progress, but it may even end a promising career. And who’s to blame for that? The scheduling, medical staff, or the player themself. Well, that’s a can of worms we won’t bust open for now. Sophia Smith, too, experienced a similar pivotal moment during her second year at Stanford University, a setback that ‘taught‘ the USWNT star some invaluable lessons.

Luckily, that is the only major injury that the Portland Thorns star has gone through in her career. It was also the first time in her life that she was sidelined for such a long period. However, today, whenever the star reflects on this career-defining moment, she senses a proud feeling that she was able to overcome this predicament that shaped her journey to the top ranks of American soccer. “That was the first time in my life that I went a long period without being able to play and looking back. It taught me a lot about myself,” she said.

“I’m not glad it happened, but I’m happy with how it helped me grow as a player off the field. It made me realize that I’m so much more than an athlete and I have so much more to contribute to this world,” Smith told Digital Journal while reflecting on the reckless tackle that tore her ligaments, breaking her ankle in the process. Simultaneously, after a grueling 8 months of rehab, Smith admitted she felt fortunate every day to lace her boots and play the sport she loves, after knowing it “can be taken at any moment.”

Expressing her gratitude for kicking the ball every day, the 24-year-old added, “So, always appreciate that and don’t take any day for granted. That helped propel my career, and it made me want to enjoy every single day. Adversity makes us stronger, for sure.”

Eventually, it helped her learn the way of life the hard way. This explains how she has managed to instill a strong mentality within her, which was visible in the recent Paris Olympics.

Sophia Smith “enjoying” life, after Paris Olympic triumph with USWNT

Sophia Smith seems to be on a completely different path in life. She avoids dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, choosing instead to focus on what she can do in the present to achieve her goals. “I’m not looking too far forward. I’m not looking too far behind me. I’m just in the process that we call life, and I’m enjoying each day as it comes.” 

“Trusting the process,” Sophia Smith says when asked about her current chapter in life. The Portland Thorns forward has developed an unshakable and mature mindset. However, this isn’t the only key to her success. Her guiding principle is “Protect your peace,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining inner calm and overall well-being in life. Even though countless factors can disrupt her peace, she believes that finding tranquility and having control over one’s surroundings is the best way possible to attain more serenity.

Perhaps it must have been the career-defining injury that she suffered in her collegiate days that helped her embrace a positive and grateful mindset in her present life.