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Soccer Thorns

The way to stop Sophia Smith is not to injure her

Sophia Smith is a menace for defenders both on the club and international level. Her footwork and finesse on the ball make her incredibly difficult to mark as she spins her way towards the goal, and defenders have caught on that one of the only ways to stop her is to foul her. 

Smith tweeted earlier this week that she needed to “practice how to shoot the ball when both legs get completely taken out from under me” in reference to a clip of a foul from Portland’s game against Kansas City on Sept. 18. The tackle, which came from behind when Smith was in on goal, one-versus-one with the KC keeper, was not called as a foul. 

She followed up her statement with a clip from a college game at Stanford, where she broke her leg during a nearly identical tackle from the opposition. 

Forwards are meant to be brave as they drive the ball toward the goal, and Smith certainly is. But when dangerous plays aren’t called, it incentives the defense to continue making reckless challenges, and leaves the forward hurt, even sidelining them for months like Smith was during college. Referees are on the pitch in order to protect players, and refusing to do so is willful neglect. 

Post-game on Wednesday night, Smith said that being repeatedly fouled is “frustrating for sure… But if I let it get to me, then it will affect how I play. So I try to not think about it too much going into games and just accept the fact that I’ll probably be getting fouled left and right.”

Players should not be forced to have this type of mindset while playing professionally. They should not be resigned to the fact that they are going to be repeatedly fouled and potentially incur a season-ending-injury. They should feel both physically and mentally safe when they walk onto the field. Until referees start calling dangerous and repeatedly plays on players like Smith, the number of fouls and injuries will only increase exponentially. 

The Thorns’ two previous games against the Kansas City Current and Racing Louisville were both physical. The Current committed 10 fouls that were called, while Racing Louisville committed 12. However, the crucial element here is the number of fouls that are not called. Per Statsbomb, Smith has been fouled 38 times, 12more times than the next highest player, Hina Sugita. 

However, in each game against the Current and Racing Louisville, Sophia Smith only won one foul.  

Here is a list of all the challenges where Sophia Smith was brought down: 

9/18 vs Kansas City Current

16′: Sophia Smith is double teamed at the top of the box. As she turns towards goal, Claire Lavogez comes in as the third defender on Smith and sticks her leg out, tripping Smith. The ball goes out of play for a goal kick. 

45+3′: Adrianna Franch comes off her line and collides with Smith as they both go for the ball. Both receive medical attention and the ball comes in on a goal kick. 

48′: Smith is played a ball over top of the defenders and runs onto it, getting there first. She takes a few touches, then once she is in the box is tackled from behind by Addisyn Merrick. No foul called. 

60′: Smith receives a ball with her back to goal. She makes the turn inside, and Merrick sticks her foot out late. Foul called for Smith. 

86′: Smith is double teamed. One player boxes her out while the other swipes at her feet and she goes down at the top of the box. No foul called. 

9/21 vs Racing Louisville

45+1′: Gemma Bonner was already between Smith and the goal when Bonner stuck her leg out, causing Smith to fall to the ground. There was an immediate whistle called. 

45+2′: Smith and Satara Murray both go after the ball, as it’s loose around the top of the box. Smith hip checks Murray, and Murray falls on top of Smith. The whistle is immediately blown against Smith. 

54′: Smith is dribbling towards goal on a threaded pass by Natalia Kuikka. Bonner swipes at Smith’s legs from the inside, doesn’t connect with the ball, and brings Smith to the ground. No whistle is blown. 

71′: Smith is subbed out. 

These are only the stats of two games, and Smith is only one person. While the data alone cannot identify a trend, when set alongside the rest of the season, they tell a more complete story. Smith has only scored once in her last five games in a Thorns jersey, compared to two in her previous two for the USWNT.  Coupled with the seeming endemic of SEI and ACL tears among NWSL players, a trend emerges indicating that players are in more danger of serious injury. With referees not calling these tackles, they will only increase, thus increasing the number of season ending injuries as well. 

The players need to be protected; it’s as simple as that. With the signing of a historic CBA, players have finally had their rights recognized, but this recognition must extend to the pitch. The first step is making sure that the referees are trained and able to call all hard tackles. If not, the risks will only escalate, and players like Sophia Smith could leave the NWSL for their own safety.