The women’s soccer World Cup is officially underway, and Team USA is already making its mark on the tournament. On Saturday, the United States won 3-0 over Vietnam. Sophia Smith, the forward who scored two goals during the game, is central to this victory.
Smith is known for being a soccer champion (the United States has won four World Cup titles over the years), and her relationship with long-term boyfriend Michael Wilson is also making fans swoon.
The couple met as they were both college athletes at Stanford University. According to People, Smith was a starting player on the women’s soccer team, while Wilson was a wide receiver for the school’s football team.
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The couple made their relationship Instagram official a semester into Smith’s first year of college.
“Adventures in the city,” the soccer champion captioned a post where the pair hugged while exploring San Francisco.
Wilson posted a celebratory post for their first anniversary as a couple a year later.
“Life’s a blessing with you in it,” he captioned a selfie of him and Smith. “I love you! Happy one year, stud.”
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Smith and Wilson have prioritized their sports careers over the years, supporting one another.
The soccer player attended Stanford for two years before entering the National Women’s Soccer League Draft in 2020. Smith signed with the Portland Thorns as an overall first-round pick and has since been living in Portland. She reflected on that choice as a “difficult” one, but ultimately, it is a decision she said she made by following her heart.
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On his end, Wilson has experienced the highs and lows that can come with pursuing a sports career. In 2018, he had to sit out multiple games due to a foot injury. That didn’t stop Wilson from being voted team captain during his final year or receiving various accolades for his game as a wide receiver. In 2022, he had to sit out again due to a collarbone injury.
Wilson went professional earlier this year when the Arizona Cardinals selected him as a third-round pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.
“You did it, baby,” Smith captioned a post in honor of Wilson’s achievement. “Through the highs and especially the lows, you never stopped doing everything right. it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. I’m so proud of you.”
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In the past, Smith has said relationships are paramount in her life. It is what keeps her going and what keeps her grounded outside of soccer.
“A lot of my happiness and perspective, when things feel stressful, and the world feels like one bad thing after another is happening, I go back to my family,” she said during an appearance on the NBC Podcast My New Favorite Futbolista.
“They know how to make me happy and make me feel peace, gratefulness to have a family like that,” she continued. “Relationships are the biggest thing. When it’s all said and done, and you’re laying on your deathbed, you’re not going to care about the physical things you have, but the relationships you’ve made and the experiences you’ve had with those people you care about.”
