3 goals, 2 assists, and a lot of stunning twists & turns on the pitch—Sophia Smith truly lived the Paris Olympic dream as the main character. The forward played a crucial role in the USWNT’s run for the gold. But the biggest challenge at her doorstep is to carry forward this mentality for upcoming challenges. However, Smith is hardly concerned about that as she is busy enjoying a ‘process that we call life.’

Neither thinking about the past nor the future; the 24-year-old seems to follow a mantra that stops her from overthinking and rather thinks about what and how exactly she can achieve greater things. “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,” she said, in an interview with Digital Journal.

“Trusting the process,” says Smith, when asked what chapter of her life she’s on. The Portland Thorns forward knows how to construct a mentality that nobody could even try to mar. Interestingly, this isn’t the only secret to her success. “Protect your peace” is the biggest motto of Smith’s life, expressing the importance of maintaining overall serenity and pleasure in life.

“There are so many things that can disrupt that… but the more at peace you can be with yourself, and your surroundings, and who you let in your circle, I think that is so important and it’s in our control,” she said. It’s not just soccer where keeping this attitude helps Smith. Maintaining these factors helps the attacker to contribute to things in a sounder way and lead a better life.

No wonder we saw Smith enjoy the game throughout the Olympic campaign rather than taking the pressure of winning. It has also ignited a fire of optimism inside the winger. “I think this [gold] is just the start for us,” she remarked after the Paris Olympic triumph.

Sophia also insisted that following the 2023 World Cup upset, the USWNT has finally found its “footing and a lot of that is credit to Emma.” But the Thorns star’s honor for the English boss didn’t stop there!

How did the arrival of Emma Hayes further bolster Sophia Smith and Co.’s mentality?

Players did their job well but none of it would have been possible without Emma Hayes. Picking up a team that was down in the dumps, the former Chelsea boss reignited the confidence of the American ladies. And surely, the impact of this is visible beyond their recent accolade. “Having Emma come in and just bring who she is, her energy, and just her vibe I think completely changed the whole vibe of the team,” remarked Sophia Smith.

The Portland Thorns attacker hailed the former Chelsea boss for letting the group enjoy and uphold them in a good position. Of course, with a glittering record of 16 trophies in 12 years at Chelsea FC, Hayes was already anticipated to turn the team’s fortunes around. Rest, the magic did happen for the USWNT as they successfully managed to retain their dominating spot. Can they or they cannot be stopped is the question that stands.

But looking at Sophia Smith’s mentality, we reckon the same would be the case for other players and no is the answer to whether USWNT can be stopped from doing what they are expected to do now!