Earlier this week, the United States Women’s National Team was eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing a penalty shootout against Sweden. And one player felt that heartbreak more than some others as Sophia Smith missed a penalty that would have won the match for the team. But USWNT legend Carli Lloyd wants her to hold her head high.
“I know you’re heartbroken. I know you’re sad. I know you’ve got all the emotions missing a PK in that game against Sweden,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd went on to remind Smith that she missed a penalty kick in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final that played a major role in the USWNT losing to Japan.
“I felt like a failure, I felt like I let my country down, my teammates down,” Lloyd said.
Dear @sophsssmith, can’t wait to see how you bounce back in 2027 🇺🇸 🙌 – @CarliLloyd pic.twitter.com/4n9a1RCSKs
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 7, 2023
But Lloyd had a message for the 22-year-old who is just at the beginning of her career.
“I want you to know that your future is bright, that you’re going to keep going, you’re going to keep shining, and you’re going to keep doing amazing,” Lloyd continued. “So don’t stop. You can be upset for a quick second, but know that you have a bright future.”
Smith will have a chance to bounce back from this as she has a long career ahead of her.
[Fox Soccer]
