"We didn't ever drop off" - Sophia Smith sends USWNT to the gold medal game

Quick notes from Lyon after USA 1 - 0 Germany

— Lyon

One year ago today, the US Women’s National Team were knocked out of the World Cup in Melbourne. Tonight, they qualified for the program’s first gold medal match since 2012

The team that beat Germany at the Stade de Lyon this evening didn’t realize the anniversary. According to Sophia Smith: “Everyone, maybe except Alyssa, has moved on.” 

It definitely crossed my mind, though. They’ve undergone many evolutions since that moment. And exactly one year to the day the world wondered if they’d ever climb back, or how soon, the US beat Germany in a hard fought 1-0 win, ensuring they’ll take home an Olympic medal, clinching the chance to bring home the gold. 

Smith, on what it means to play in that gold medal game: 

“It means everything. We had, I said earlier, we had a tough year last year, in every way possible. But I feel like this is a new year. And we're really just showing the world that we didn't ever drop off. We just– we needed a learning year and a growth year. And we're back, and hopefully on top after this next game.”