The bar seems to have been set higher for this year’s NWSL campaign. Each day, new records are being broken, marking a continuous stream of accomplishments. Sophia Smith is the latest to distinguish herself and leave a mark on NWSL history by breaking Sam Kerr’s 7-year-old record to take over the crown as the youngest player to reach 50-goal contributions across all competitions.

The feat came in the Portland Thorns’ 4-1 win against Houston Dash yesterday. Smith’s 27th-minute strike to double her side’s lead marked her 40th goal, while she also set up Olivia Moultrie’s goal in the 87th minute, marking the 10th assist, which helped her clinch this feat. As reported by the renowned stats-based platform, OptaJack, on X, the USWNT starlet has registered this achievement at 23 years, 254 days. She has surpassed Chelsea star Sam Kerr, who achieved this landmark at 23 years, 308 days in 2017, thanks to the Australian international’s previous domestic stints in the NWSL with Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red Stars.

Notably, Smith’s remarkable display has translated seamlessly into domestic play. The 23-year-old has been delivering an exceptional performance since the onset of the 2024 campaign. In addition to soaring her numbers on the domestic level, the Portland Thorns striker has made significant contributions to her country. She is thriving on the senior level, netting 18 goals across 46 appearances. The forward recently played a pivotal role in guiding the USWNT back to success, securing victories in both the W Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup. Certainly, Smith is leaving no stone unturned to prove why Thorns offered her a historic contract in the history of the American women’s league.

Sophia Smith has done everything to justify the tag of highest-paid player in NWSL

Well, setting new benchmarks seems to be in Sophia Smith’s blood. Just weeks ago, the Portland Thorns made her the highest-paid player in the NWSL. While the details of the deal haven’t been fully revealed, the USWNT starlet is reportedly earning more than $2 million per season. However, there is still a long way to go for Smith, especially in proving why she deserves to be this season’s NWSL MVP. Yet, she definitely stands out from the crowd.

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Even the smallest attention-to-detail stats, like averaging 5.45 shots per game with 2.73 on target, compared to Alex Morgan’s 6.28 shots with 2.09 on target this season in the NWSL, suggest her readiness. Smith’s achievements so far on the international front—well,  that also goes without saying. Regardless, she will aim to uphold high standards throughout the remainder of the calendar year, with plenty at stake for her to strive for.