Goals galore. And even that may be understating it.
Not one, but TWO Thorns players scored hat tricks on Saturday in dominate wins with their respective national teams. Midfielder Rocky Rodríguez shined in a 4-0 victory for Costa Rica, while forward Sophia Smith starred for the United States in a route of Uzbekistan.
Coincidently, both players’ games took place at roughly the same time making it a busy afternoon for Thorns supporters keeping tabs on social media.
Sophia Stars for the States
For those who’ve watched the Thorns this season, they know that Smith is in form - three goals during the preseason tournament and two goals thus far in the NWSL Challenge Cup. And that form continued with a notable hat trick in a resounding 9-1 win for the U.S. in Columbus, Ohio.
Smith scored twice in the first half (33rd, 35th minutes) and then again in the 56th minute, becoming the youngest player to score a hat trick for the USWNT at 21 years, 242 days, in more than 20 years.
Smith’s three goals were her second, third and fourth career international goals, and she is the 25th USWNT player to score three goals in a game. And her second goal of the game was spectacular.
Another familiar face featured for the United States – Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan, who is currently on loan with French club Olympique Lyonnais. Horan was in the Starting XI and played the first half.
Rodríguez Carries Costa Rica
Rodríguez delivered a massive performance for Costa Rica, scoring three of the team’s four goals in a 4-0 shutout win against Curaço, at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisa in Willemstad, Curaçao.
Rodríguez has carried the goalscoring load for Costa Rica during the Concacaf W Qualifiers, now with six goals in three games – and has scored in each of the team’s contests. She’s scored nearly a third of the Costa Rica’s 17 goals thus far in qualification.
Against Curaço, Rodríguez found the back of the net in the 22nd, 28th and 64th minutes.
Costa Rica has an important Group B match-up with Guatemala on Tuesday, April 12, at Estadio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica. Just three points separates the two countries at the top of Group B, with the winner advancing to the Concacaf W Championship this summer. Costa Rica sits atop the Group with a 3-0-0 (9pts) record.
Round-up of Thorns updates on International Duty
- HIGHLIGHTS | Smith Goal No. 1 and Goal No. 3
- NOTEBOOK | Thorns take center stage on memorable night in Canada
- WATCH | Rodríguez Goal No. 1 and Goal No. 3
- The Oregonian | LeBlanc, Wilkinson reflect on Canada Soccer Hall of Fame induction
- READ | Your guide to keeping track of the Thorns on international duty
- READ | Kuikka features for Finland in draw with Slovakia
- CALL-UP | Bixby, Smith called up by USWNT for friendlies
