The U.S. women's national team's bid for a historic FIFA Women's World Cup three-peat began with a win.
And it was a newcomer to the WWC squad who powered the victory.
In her first WWC game, Sophia Smith tallied two goals and one assist as the USWNT defeated Vietnam 3-0 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday night.
With her brace, the 22-year-old Smith became the youngest USWNT player to tally two goals in her first WWC game, according to CBS Sports. She's also the second youngest USWNT player to score two goals in any WWC match.
Smith, who plays for the NWSL's Portland Thorns, opened the scoring for the Americans in the 2023 WWC. In the 14th minute, Alex Morgan fought off a defender to make an impressive one-touch feed into the box for Smith, who beat the goalkeeper with a left-footed strike.
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Smith didn't have to wait long to notch her second WWC goal, either. In first-half stoppage time, Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh punched a cross right out to Smith, who sent a bouncing shot into the back of the net.
The play was initially called offsides, but the goal was awarded following a review to give the Americans a 2-0 halftime lead. The score came minutes after Morgan was denied from the spot on a penalty kick.
Smith showed she has the ability to set up her teammates as well in the 77th minute, when she beat a defender to the ball and picked out captain Lindsey Horan in the middle of the box. After settling the ball, Horan fired a shot into the open night.
The USWNT continues group stage play on Wednesday against the Netherlands in what will be a rematch of the 2019 WWC final.
