Olivia Smith (soccer) explained

Olivia Smith
Fullname:Olivia Smith[1]
Birth Date:2004 8, mf=yes
Birth Place:North York, Ontario, Canada
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Liverpool
Clubnumber:11
Youthclubs1:Whitby SC
Youthclubs2:Oshawa Kicks SC
Youthclubs3:Ajax SC
Youthclubs4:Markham FC
Youthclubs5:North Toronto SC
Youthclubs6:NDC Ontario
Youthclubs7:North Toronto SC
Collegeyears1:2022
College1:Penn State Nittany Lions
Collegecaps1:16
Collegegoals1:1
Years1:2022
Clubs1:North Toronto Nitros
Caps1:11
Goals1:18
Years2:2023–2024
Clubs2:Sporting CP
Caps2:18
Goals2:13
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Liverpool
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalteam1:Canada U15
Nationalyears1:2018
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalteam2:Canada U20
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalcaps2:18
Nationalgoals2:20
Nationalteam3:Canada
Nationalyears3:2019–
Nationalcaps3:10
Nationalgoals3:2
Pcupdate:May 25, 2024
Ntupdate:10:54, 18 August 2024 (UTC)

Olivia Smith (born August 5, 2004) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Women's Super League club Liverpool and the Canada national team.

Early life

Smith was born in North York, Ontario, but grew up in Whitby. She first played house league with the Whitby Soccer Club, before playing at the competitive level with Oshawa Kicks SC, Ajax SC, Markham FC and then North Toronto SC. Afterwards, she joined the Ontario Regional Excel (REX) program (later renamed to the NDC Ontario),[2] before returning to North Toronto SC to train in advance of her move to college, where she committed to join the Florida State Seminoles.[3]

College career

Initially committed to attend Florida State University, Smith instead decided to attend Penn State University, where she played for the women's soccer team.[4] [5] She made her debut on September 18, coming on as a second-half substitute against the Indiana Hoosiers.[6] She scored her first collegiate goal on September 25 against the Illinois Fighting Illini.[7] After one season, she elected to forgo her remaining eligibility to sign a professional contract.[8] [9]

Club career

In 2022, Smith played for the North Toronto Nitros in League1 Ontario.[10] She made her debut on May 7 against Alliance United. In her next match on May 14, she scored her first goal against Simcoe County Rovers FC.[11] She scored a brace on May 18 against Electric City FC.[12] She scored four goals in a 6–1 victory over BVB IA Waterloo on June 18.[13] After the season, she was named Young Player of the Season, Forward of the Year, and won the Golden Boot after leading the league in scoring with 18 goals, while only appearing in 11 games.[14] She was also named a league First Team All-Star and U18 All-Star in 2022.[15] [16]

In July 2023, Smith signed her first professional contract and joined Portuguese club Sporting CP in the Campeonato Nacional Feminino on a three-year deal.[17] [18] In her league debut, she scored and added an assist for the club.[19] [20] Enjoying success in her first professional season, a season-ending poll of the league's coaches and captains voted Smith the player of the year.[21] She later received the league's juried award as best young player of the season.[22]

In July 2024, she signed with English club Liverpool in the Women's Super League.[23] [24]

International career

In 2017, she made her debut in the Canada Soccer program, when she attended a youth camp at age 12. She made her international debut for the Canadian U15 team at the 2018 CONCACAF Girls' Under-15 Championship.[25]

In late October 2019, she was called up to the Canada women's national soccer team for the first time.[26] On November 7, 2019, she became the youngest player ever to debut for the senior national team at the 15 years and 94 days old, when she replaced Jordyn Huitema in the 86th minute of a match against Brazil in the Women's International Tournament played in Chongqing, China, breaking the previous record set by Kara Lang.[27] [28] In the same tournament, Smith got her second international cap in a match against New Zealand.[29] Following the appearance, she then attended a camp with the Canada U17 team.[30] [31]

She was named the 2019 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year.[32] [33] In 2022, she was named to the Canada U20 team for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[34] In April 2023, she scored a pair of hat tricks during the 2023 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship qualification tournament against Martinique and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.[35]

After being a late addition to the Canadian pre-tournament camp for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Smith was named to the final squad. At age 18, she was its youngest member.[36] [37] Smith made her World Cup debut in Canada's final group stage match, as a substitute against Australia.[38] [39]

Smith began 2024 being named to the Canadian squad for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, while citing that her "biggest goal" for the year was to make the smaller eighteen-person team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[40] She scored her first senior international goal in Canada's opening game of the Gold Cup, a 6–0 rout of El Salvador.[41] Smith was then given her first start at the senior level in the second group game, against Paraguay, and scored her second goal of the tournament.[42] She missed the quarter-final against Costa Rica while in concussion protocol.[43] Smith played thirty minutes of extra time in the semi-final versus the United States, which ultimately saw Canada ousted in the penalty shootout.[44] She received the Young Player Award at the conclusion of the tournament.[45] The Gold Cup was called Smith's "true breakout on the international stage."[44]

Personal life

Smith is of Jamaican, Chilean and Peruvian descent. In 2023, she joined the League1 Ontario Women's Football Subcommittee.[46] [47]

Career statistics

Club

.[48]

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
North Toronto Nitros2022League1 Ontario1118———1118
Sporting CP2023–24Campeonato Nacional Feminino18134251102816
Liverpool2024–25Women's Super League000000—00
Career total29314241103934

International

[49]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Canada201920
202320
202462
Total102

Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Smith goal.

List of international goals scored by Olivia Smith
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1February 22, 2024Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, United States6–06–02024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup
2February 25, 20242–04–0

Honours

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squad List, FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022: Canada (CAN) . . 3 . 3 August 2022 . 3 August 2022 . 3 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803165856/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce42/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf . live .
  2. Web site: Exclusive: 16-year-old standout Olivia Smith a prototype for the future of Canadian soccer. February 13, 2021. Brady. Reid. Waking The Red. February 23, 2021. February 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216200543/https://www.wakingthered.com/2021/2/13/22280176/exclusive-16-year-old-standout-olivia-smith-a-prototype-for-the-future-of-canadian-soccer. live.
  3. Web site: Olivia Smith. North Toronto Nitros. 2022-03-08. 2022-03-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308133357/https://www.ntsoccer.com/NitrosNews/Classof2022CollegeSignings/PlayerSignings/OliviaSmith. live.
  4. Web site: Penn State signs three women's soccer transfers from Texas Tech, USC, Florida State. June 1, 2022. Soccerwire. September 23, 2022. September 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220923152036/https://www.soccerwire.com/news/penn-state-signs-three-womens-soccer-transfers-from-texas-tech-usc-florida-state/. live.
  5. Web site: Olivia Smith Penn State profile. Penn State Nittany Lions. 2022-09-23. 2022-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20220923151331/https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/olivia-smith/12995. live.
  6. Web site: No. 8 Women's Soccer Draws with Indiana. September 18, 2022. Penn State Nittany Lions. September 23, 2022. September 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220923151332/https://gopsusports.com/news/2022/9/18/womens-soccer-no-8-womens-soccer-draws-with-indiana.aspx. live.
  7. Web site: Penn State women's soccer flexes depth, young talent in decimation of Illinois on Sunday. Sam. Woloson. The Daily Collegian. September 25, 2022. October 1, 2022. October 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221001170823/https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/penn-state-women-s-soccer-flexes-depth-young-talent-in-decimation-of-illinois-on-sunday/article_751ea892-3d1e-11ed-810f-cbb4dbece1ee.html. live.
  8. Web site: 'The time is right now': Olivia Smith set to sign professional contract with top European club. June 8, 2023. Canadian Premier League. Benedict. Rhodes. June 8, 2023. June 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608190147/https://canpl.ca/article/the-time-is-right-now-olivia-smith-set-to-sign-professional-contract-with-top-european-club. live.
  9. Web site: European pro career awaits Whitby soccer star. Glenn. Hendry. June 9, 2023. inDurham. June 10, 2023. June 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230610023709/https://www.insauga.com/european-pro-career-awaits-whitby-soccer-star/. live.
  10. Web site: Olivia Smith 2022 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario. 2022-05-08. 2022-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20220502002850/https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/54281449?subseason=809616. live.
  11. Web site: Barrie Sports: Weekend Recap May 16. Christian. Mota-Pyette. May 16, 2022. Barrie Uncovered. May 29, 2022. May 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220516173301/https://barrieuncovered.ca/barrie-sports/barrie-sports-weekend-recap-may-16. live.
  12. Web site: Electric City Football Club Women's Team Fall to North Toronto Nitros, 3-1. May 19, 2022. PTBO Canada. David Tuan. Bui. May 29, 2022. May 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220519231654/https://www.ptbocanada.com/journal/electric-city-football-club-womens-team-fall-to-north-toronto-nitros-3-1. live.
  13. Web site: L1O Weekly Rewind. Matt. Bates. League1 Ontario. 21 June 2022. 15 July 2022. 15 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715135009/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1230237. live.
  14. Web site: Julia Benati and Olivia Smith highly commended as Women's Premier Division 2022 awards are confirmed. November 15, 2022. League1 Ontario. November 16, 2022. November 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221116113355/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1247696. live.
  15. Web site: Simcoe skipper Cloey Uddenberg at the heart of the 2022 Women's Premier Division All-Star team. November 17, 2022. League1 Ontario. November 19, 2022. November 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221118020611/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1247890. live.
  16. Web site: 2022 Women's Premier Division U18 All-Star team littered with CANWNT potential. November 18, 2022. League1 Ontario. November 19, 2022. November 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221118222837/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1248071. live.
  17. Web site: Olivia Smith reforça Sporting até 2026. pt. Olivia Smith reinforces Sporting until 2026. July 21, 2023. Record. July 21, 2023. July 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230721214410/https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-feminino/detalhe/olivia-smith-reforca-sporting-ate-2026. live.
  18. Web site: Teenage Canada talent Olivia Smith signs first pro deal with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. Tom. Nightingale. July 21, 2023. Canadian Soccer Daily. July 21, 2023. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130001137/https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2023/07/21/teenage-canada-talent-olivia-smith-signs-first-pro-deal-with-portuguese-giants-sporting-lisbon/. live.
  19. Web site: 'A little bit fearless:' Why the Canadian women's soccer team needs Olivia Smith now more than ever. September 24, 2023. Toronto Star. Joe. Callaghan. September 28, 2023. September 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230928150450/https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/a-little-bit-fearless-why-the-canadian-women-s-soccer-team-needs-olivia-smith-now/article_6e21be9e-c9fe-5584-848d-44fb93e7b200.html. live.
  20. Web site: Teenage CanWNT talent Olivia Smith quietly having superb debut season for Sporting Lisbon. January 11, 2024. Tom. Nightingale. Canadian Soccer Daily. January 13, 2024. January 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240113144334/https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2024/01/11/canadian-teen-and-canwnt-talent-olivia-smith-quietly-having-superb-debut-season-for-sporting-lisbon/. live.
  21. Web site: Olivia Smith é a melhor jogadora da Liga BPI 2023/24. pt. Olivia Smith is the best player in the BPI League 2023/24. Araújo. Andreia. Sousa. Daniel. May 6, 2024. ZeroZero. May 11, 2024.
  22. Web site: Olivia Smith (Sporting CP): a revelação da época. pt. Olivia Smith (Sporting CP): The Revelation of the Season. May 11, 2024. Portuguese Football Federation. May 23, 2024.
  23. Web site: Liverpool Women sign Canadian international Olivia Smith. Will. Frith. She Kicks. July 2, 2024.
  24. Web site: Liverpool FC Women complete signing of Olivia Smith. July 2, 2024. Glenn. Price. Liverpool.
  25. Web site: Whitby's Olivia Smith 'special' force for Canadian U-17 soccer team. Neil. Davidson. November 28, 2019. Toronto Star. February 23, 2021. December 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202221246/https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2019/11/28/whitbys-olivia-smith-special-force-for-canadian-u-17-soccer-team.html. live.
  26. Web site: 15-year-old Olivia Smith could become youngest to play for Canada's women's soccer team. Neil. Davidson. October 30, 2019. CBC Sports. July 15, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134249/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-women-soccer-team-olivia-smith-1.5341337. live.
  27. Web site: Olivia Smith makes history as Canada's senior team youngest soccer player. Ron. Fanfair. RonFanfair. December 18, 2019. July 27, 2020. July 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200727090715/https://www.ronfanfair.com/home/2019/12/18/385wxo59ava2r93ihrsvs0865mgpp3. live.
  28. Web site: Smith sets sights on becoming mainstay for CWNT. June 9, 2021. Meaghen. Johnson. TSN. July 15, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134251/https://www.tsn.ca/olivia-smith-sets-sights-on-becoming-mainstay-for-canadian-women-s-soccer-team-1.1651957. live.
  29. Web site: 15-year-old Olivia Smith makes history as youngest to play for Canadian women's soccer team. CBC. November 7, 2019. December 14, 2019. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214003715/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/olivia-smith-china-four-nations-tournament-youngest-player-1.5351417. live.
  30. News: Soccer starlet Olivia Smith to lead Canada's U-17 team after senior debut. November 28, 2019. The Hamilton Spectator.
  31. Web site: Soccer starlet Olivia Smith back with her peers after Canada senior team debut. The Globe & Mail. Neil. Davidson. November 28, 2019. July 15, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134249/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-soccer-starlet-olivia-smith-back-with-her-peers-after-canada-senior/. live.
  32. Web site: Jayden Nelson and Olivia Smith named Canada Soccer's Youth International Players of the Year. Canadian Soccer Association. December 10, 2019. February 23, 2021. March 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305034828/https://canadasoccer.com/news/jayden-nelson-and-olivia-smith-named-canada-soccers-youth-international-players-of-the-year/. live.
  33. Web site: Whitby's Olivia Smith, 15, chosen as Canadian Youth International female soccer player of the year. Tim. Kelly. Whitby This Week. December 12, 2019. July 15, 2022. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214131527/https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/9770284-whitby-s-olivia-smith-15-chosen-as-canadian-youth-international-female-soccer-player-of-the-year/. live.
  34. Web site: Incoming Penn State women's soccer freshman Olivia Smith secures spot on Canadian U-20 World Cup team. Jacob. Hayes. Daily Collegian. July 30, 2022. September 23, 2022. September 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220923152306/https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/women_soccer/incoming-penn-state-womens-soccer-freshman-olivia-smith-secures-spot-on-canadian-u-20-world/article_5c97cb3e-0fbd-11ed-961f-1b22245d68bf.html. live.
  35. Web site: Whitby's Olivia Smith scores six in pair of CONCACAF U-20 soccer qualifiers. April 17, 2023. Glenn. Hendry. inDurham. July 10, 2023. July 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230710215651/https://www.insauga.com/whitbys-olivia-smith-scores-six-in-pair-of-concacaf-u-20-soccer-qualifyers/. live.
  36. Web site: Canadian roster revealed for upcoming Women's World Cup. Neil. Davidson. CBC Sports. July 9, 2023. July 10, 2023. July 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230710031832/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-canadian-women-national-team-roster-july-9-1.6901408. live.
  37. Web site: Canada's WWC squad: Desiree Scott ruled out, Olivia Smith, 18, called up. Anthony. Lopopolo. July 9, 2023. The Score. July 10, 2023. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130001241/https://www.thescore.com/us_fed/news/2675483. live.
  38. News: Canada left searching for answers in wake of early exit from Women's World Cup. Davidson. Neil. Globe & Mail. July 31, 2023. August 11, 2023. August 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001344/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-canada-eliminated-from-womens-world-cup-after-falling-4-0-to-australia/. live.
  39. News: 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS from Canada's performances at 2023 World Cup. Ristic. Raine. OneSoccer. August 1, 2023. August 11, 2023. August 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811180136/https://onesoccer.ca/a/3-key-takeaways-from-canwnt-performances-at-2023-world-cup-canada. live.
  40. Web site: Confidence key as Smith finds her game in Portugal. Meaghen. Johnson. TSN. February 21, 2024. February 23, 2024.
  41. Web site: Canada's women's soccer team blows out El Salvador in Gold Cup opener. CBC Sports. February 23, 2024. February 23, 2024.
  42. Web site: Adriana Leon scores hat trick as Canada blanks Paraguay to remain unbeaten at W Gold Cup. CBC Sports. February 25, 2024. February 26, 2024.
  43. Web site: Evelyne Viens nets extra-time winner as Canada squeaks past Costa Rica to reach W Gold Cup semis. CBC Sports. March 2, 2024. March 11, 2024.
  44. Web site: Five CanWNT players whose stock rose at the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup. Canadian Premier League. Rhodes. Benedict. March 7, 2024. March 11, 2024.
  45. Web site: Canada’s Olivia Smith named CONCACAF W Gold Cup Young Player of the Tournament. March 11, 2024. Canadian Soccer Daily.
  46. Web site: "So many areas that we can grow" – Chelsea Spencer introduces the L1O Women's Football Subcommittee members. July 6, 2023. League1 Ontario. July 8, 2023. July 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230708164446/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1278486. live.
  47. Web site: Former L1O players Smith and Gilles are heading to the Women's World Cup. July 11, 2023. League1 Ontario. July 12, 2023. July 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230712153003/https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1278938. live.
  48. Web site: Olivia Smith Profile .
  49. Web site: Olivia Smith Profile - Canada Soccer . Canada Soccer . 18 August 2024.
  50. Web site: March 11, 2024 . Shaw Naeher lead honors at W Gold Cup. March 11, 2024. CONCACAF.com.

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