BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024 contender Sophia Smith

What did it feel like to score an extra-time winner in an Olympic semi-final?

“I kind of blacked out a little bit, it was a lot of emotions, but I just remember seeing the ball hit the back of the net and being like ‘we did it’.

“I felt like I could cry of happiness and joy. Yeah, it just felt like all the pieces came together and it was surreal. It was like a dream.”

What’s it like to be part of the United States’ ‘Triple Espresso’ front three alongside Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson?

“It’s amazing, I mean, it’s fun because they are two of my best friends off the field, and then that obviously translates on the field. We have really great chemistry.

“I feel like I always know what they’re going to do even before they do it, and I think the same for me, but it just clicks.”

How does she feel representing the United States as a black player?

“When I was growing up there were very few black players on the US women’s national team.

“It’s so important because I think for every young boy, every young girl to see players who look like them – doing what they maybe want to do or just doing something special in general – that goes a long way and it’s important for young athletes to see that, to know that they can be exactly that too.”