The USWNT has got some bragging rights after its two games at the Paris Olympics. Fresh off a 3-0 rout of Zambia, coach Emma Hayes and co. uprooted one of the gold medal favorites- Germany 4-1. Ace striker Sophia Smith drew first blood against Germany with a stunning finish, and she scored again to complete a brace. Now, Smith has hinted that the US has just started its northward journey.

Emma Hayes’ squad surely has a star-studded forward line. However, these aces have not played together enough to form a lethal chemistry. At least not something enough to score seven goals in two games. Hence, Sophia Smith was unsurprisingly brimming with confidence while she spoke of her team after beating Germany. “This is probably only game six or seven of us playing up front together. We’re clicking really well, really fast. I think this is only like 70 percent of what we can do,” Smith said, as compiled by The Athletic.

Sophia Smith’s confident claim does have weightage considering how well the USWNT has fared at the Olympics so far, despite fielding young and inexperienced players. Anyhow, it must be noted that the USWNT’s forward line has truly been powering its stellar start to the Olympics. Its defensive third has yet to find a rhythm, as goalie Alyssa Naeher has bailed them out time and again during the Germany game. If the US stoppers rise up to the level of their forwards, Hayes’ side would perhaps be able to 30% more and give their full, as Smith pointed out.

Hayes lauds Sophia Smith and Co. for showing up big when it mattered the most

During the opening few minutes, it looked like the USWNT would succumb to Germany because of its defensive woes. Thanks to Sophia Smith’s double, Team USA forgot its sloppiness and marched. Mallory Swanson scored once, registering her third of this Olympics, while substitute Lynn Williams also found the net. Emma Hayes is on cloud nine to see her team withstand the crunch. “I think we were absolutely devastating when we needed to be,” said Hayes. With the US now awaiting their last group game against Australia, Hayes gave her players a day and a half off to rejoice and recover.

Lynn Williams, who scored USA’s last in the 4-1 win lauded her teammates for standing unperturbed against Germany. “There were times where we had to weather a storm. And I think that that’s really cool about this team, — nobody looks frightened in those moments,” said Lynn Williams.

After rounding off their Group B games, the USWNT will face the second seed of Group C, which is Japan at the moment. Let’s see if Sophia Smith, her teammates, and her coach could carry forward this confidence they have after beating Germany.