AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Sophia Smith had been feeling the spotlight. She’d deleted Twitter from her phone, and holed up with a brand-new Kindle, but the public’s searing gaze had penetrated her U.S. women’s national team bubble. She knew, of course, that there were commercials placing her in defenders’ nightmares; there were various campaigns tied to her name. She was the prophesied breakout star of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the next in a long line of American soccer greats. All the hype had beamed into her orbit.
“I definitely feel it,” the 22-year-old said Wednesday.