Wikipedia

Sophie Schmidt

Not to be confused with Sophie Schmidt (entrepreneur), founder of Rest of World, a non-profit news website.

Sophie Diana Schmidt (born 28 June 1988) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League club Houston Dash. From 2005 until retiring from international football in 2023, she was a member of the Canadian national team, with whom she won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 and bronze in both 2012 and 2016. She previously played her club soccer for German club FFC Frankfurt and Sky Blue FC in the NWSL.

Sophie Schmidt
Schmidt with the Houston Dash in 2024
Personal information
Full name Sophie Diana Schmidt[1]
Date of birth (1988-06-28) 28 June 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Houston Dash
Number 13
Youth career
Abbotsford Rush
Vancouver Whitecaps
Surrey United SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Portland Pilots 57 (33)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2010 Vancouver Whitecaps 39 (6)
2011 MagicJack 11 (1)
2012 Kristianstads DFF 6 (0)
2013–2014 Sky Blue FC 41 (8)
2015–2018 FFC Frankfurt 52 (6)
2019– Houston Dash 101 (6)
International career‡
2004 Canada U19 4 (0)
2006–2008 Canada U20 12 (2)
2005–2023 Canada 226 (20)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
Bronze medal – third place 2012 London Team
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
CONCACAF W Championship
Gold medal – first place 2010 Mexico
Silver medal – second place 2018 United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 2, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of December 5, 2023

Early life

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Schmidt was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Elmer and Cornelia Schmidt. Her parents immigrated to Canada from Paraguay before she was born,[2] while her grandparents were originally from Germany. She speaks German fluently and studied German in Portland.[3] She attended W. J. Mouat Secondary School in Abbotsford, British Columbia and played for the Abbotsford Rush club team in 2004.[4] She grew up in a Mennonite community and has described her faith as the most important thing to her.[5]

College career

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Schmidt attended the University of Portland and played for the Portland Pilots from 2007 to 2009. She did not play during the 2006 season due to her Canadian national team commitments.[4]

As a second-year student, Schmidt played forward for the Pilots despite having never played the position at a competitive level. She finished the season with seven goals and seven assists in 14 games. Schmidt was fourth in the West Coast Conference in total points (21), sixth in goals and third in assists. She scored the lone goal in a 1–0 NCAA second round win at Colorado.[4] In 2009, Schmidt finished the season tied for first on the team with 12 assists and third on the team with 12 goals. She was named to the Soccer America MVP Team (All-America) First Team, NSCAA First Team All-American, NSCAA All-West Region First Team, and ll-WCC First Team. She ranked ninth in school history for career points per game (1.60) and assists per game (0.46) and tenth in Pilots' history in goals (33) and goals per game (0.58) in 57 matches.[4]

Club career

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Early career

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Schmidt played for the Vancouver Whitecaps from 2005 to 2006, alongside former Pilots Christine Sinclair and Tiffeny Milbrett. She appeared and started in eight games for the Whitecaps, recording three assists.[4] In 2011, she played for magicJack in the WPS,[6] followed by a short-term contract with Kristianstads DFF in 2012.[7][8]

 
Schmidt playing for Sky Blue FC, 2013

Sky Blue FC

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On 11 January 2013, she joined Sky Blue FC in the new National Women's Soccer League, Schmidt played two seasons with Sky Blue, making 42 appearances and scoring 8 goals.

FFC Frankfurt

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Schmidt signed a one-year deal for German club 1. FFC Frankfurt of the Bundesliga on 31 July 2015.[9] Schmidt left 1. FFC Frankfurt following the 2017–2018 Bundesliga season.[10]

Houston Dash

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After three seasons with Frankfurt, Schmidt would sign with NWSL club Houston Dash in 2019.[11] During the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Final, she would score a penalty, helping the Dash defeat the Chicago Red Stars for the club's first major trophy.[12] In December 2020, she would re-sign with the Dash through the 2022 season, with the Dash having an option for the 2023 season.[13]

International career

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Schmidt has represented Canada at both the U-17 and U-20 level, and captained Canada at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia. She made her senior debut against Netherlands on 19 April 2005.[4]

In her first World Cup she scored against Ghana on 15 September 2007. She subsequently started all four Olympic matches at Beijing 2008, and played at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.[4] Schmidt and her team won a 2011 Pan American Games gold medal.[14]

On 28 February 2012, Schmidt made her 30th consecutive international appearance in a match against Scotland in Cyprus and had her first two-goal game. Schmidt and her teammates won an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012.[15][16] She scored two goals in a 3–0 win over Finland at the 2014 Cyprus Cup on 5 March 2014.[17] In August 2016, she won the bronze medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics.[18]

18 February 2021, she played her 200th match for Canada in a 1–0 defeat against the United States in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup.[19] On August 6, 2021, she won the Olympic gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics with Canada.[20]

Following the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadian women's team became enmeshed in disputes over compensation and funding with the Canadian Soccer Association. Schmidt, frustrated, contemplated immediate retirement in early 2023, but was persuaded by coach Bev Priestman to delay her retirement until after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[21] Named to the Canadian squad for the fifth time, Schmidt was used as a substitute in Canada's first two group stage matches, playing a crucial role in victory over Ireland after setting up Adriana Leon's game-winning goal.[22][23]

Following Canada's group stage exit from the 2023 World Cup, Schmidt initially followed through on her planned international retirement.[24] However, once longtime teammate Christine Sinclair announced her own impending retirement for year's end, Schmidt was persuaded to return one final time for the second of two scheduled matches against Australia to be played in both women's home province of British Columbia.[25] Following an injury to midfielder Julia Grosso, she agreed to feature in both matches.[26] On December 5, 2023, Schmidt made her final international appearance, a 1–0 victory in a friendly match against Australia held at BC Place in Vancouver, entering as a second-half substitute for Sinclair.[27]

Personal life

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Schmidt became engaged to Nic Kyle, an actor and singer, in September 2017.[28] They married in New Zealand in December 2018.[29]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 13 October 2024[30]
Club League Season League Playoffs Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sky Blue FC NWSL 2013 20 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 7
2014 22 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 1
Total 42 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 42 8
FFC Frankfurt Bundesliga 2015–16 14 0 0 0 1 0 5 1 20 1
2016–17 21 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 21 3
2017–18 17 3 0 0 3 1 0 0 20 4
Total 52 6 0 0 4 1 5 1 61 8
Houston Dash NWSL 2019 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
2020 4 3 0 0 7 1 0 0 11 4
2021 18 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 20 0
2022 18 3 1 1 6 0 0 0 25 4
2023 20 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 22 0
2024 23 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 26 0
Total 101 6 1 1 17 1 3 0 122 8
Career total 196 20 1 1 20 2 8 1 225 24

International goals

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Key (expand for notes on "international goals" and sorting)
Location Geographic location of the venue where the competition occurred
Sorted by country name first, then by city name
Lineup Start – played entire match
on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time

off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time
(c) – captain
Sorted by minutes played

# NumberOfGoals.goalNumber scored by the player in the match (alternate notation to Goal in match)
Min The minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal.
Assist/pass The ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information.
penalty or pk Goal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.)
Score The match score after the goal was scored.
Sorted by goal difference, then by goal scored by the player's team
Result The final score.

Sorted by goal difference in the match, then by goal difference in penalty-shoot-out if it is taken, followed by goal scored by the player's team in the match, then by goal scored in the penalty-shoot-out. For matches with identical final scores, match ending in extra-time without penalty-shoot-out is a tougher match, therefore precede matches that ended in regulation

aet The score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation
pso Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parentheses; the match was tied at the end of extra-time
Light-purple background color – exhibition or closed door international friendly match
Light-yellow background color – match at an invitational tournament
Light-orange background color – Olympic women's football qualification match
Blue background color – FIFA women's world cup final tournament

NOTE: some keys may not apply for a particular football player


Goal 		Date Location Opponent Lineup # Min Score Result Competition
1
 2005-04-27[m 1] Bischheim, France   France Start 1.1 75 5150.01005

1–0

5250.02005

2–0

Friendly
2
 2006-03-04[m 2] Vancouver, Canada   Netherlands Start 1.1 71 5250.03005

3–1

5250.03005

3–1

Friendly
3
 2007-09-15[m 3] Hangzhou, China   Ghana Start 1.1 55 5250.02005

2–0

5450.04005

4–0

FIFA Women's World Cup
4
 2012-01-23[m 4] Vancouver, Canada   Costa Rica 60.

off 60' (on Timko)

1.1 10 5250.02005

2–0

5250.04005

4–2

Olympic qualifier
5
 2012-02-28[m 5] Larnaca, Cyprus   Scotland 77.

off 77' (on Buckland)

2.1 36 5150.02005

2–1

5450.05005

5–1

Cyprus Cup
6
 2.2 51 5250.03005

3–1

7
 2012-03-31[m 6] Malmö, Sweden   Sweden Start 1.1 87 4850.01005

1–3

5050.01005

1–1

Friendly
8
 2013-03-06[m 7] Larnaca, Cyprus   Switzerland 86.

off 86' (on Lawrence)

1.1 2 5150.01005

1–0

5250.02005

2–0

Cyprus Cup
9
 2013-12-22[m 8] Brasilia, Brazil   Scotland Start 1.1 90 5150.02005

1–0

5150.02005

1–0

Brasilia Tournament
10
 2014-03-05[m 9] Nicosia, Cyprus   Finland 72.

off 72' (on Ezurike)

2.1 35 5150.01005

1–0

5350.03005

3–0

Cyprus Cup
11
 2.2 42 5250.02005

2–0

12
 2014-03-12[m 10] Nicosia, Cyprus   Republic of Ireland Start 1.1 90 5150.02005

2–1

5150.02005

2–1

Cyprus Cup
13
 2014-06-18[m 11] Vancouver, Canada   Germany 80.

off 80' (on Leon)

1.1 54 5050.01005

1–1

4950.01005

1–2

Friendly
14
 2014-06-18[m 12] Vancouver, Canada   Japan Start 2.1 58 5050.02005

1–1

4950.02005

2–3

Friendly
15
 2.2 90+1 4950.01005

2–2

16
 2015-05-29[m 13] Hamilton, Canada   England Start 1.1 23 5150.01005

1–0

5150.01005

1–0

Friendly
17 2016-08-12[m 14] São Paulo, Brazil   France 81.

off 81' (on Quinn)

1.1 55 5150.01005

1–0

5150.01005

1–0

Olympics: quarterfinal
18 2017-03-03[31] Almancil, Portugal   Russia 78.

off 78' (on Carle)

1.1 9 1–0 2–1 Algarve Cup
19 2019-04-08[32] San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain   Nigeria 46.

on 46' (off Grosso)

1.1 53 1–0 2–1 Friendly
20 2022-07-12 Guadalupe, Mexico   Costa Rica {{{4}}}.

on 61' (off Quinn)

1.1 70 2-0 2-0 Concacaf W Championship

Honours

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Houston Dash

Canada U20

Canada

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Canada" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ Davidson, Neil (31 July 2015). "Canadian international Sophie Schmidt signs with European champion Frankfurt". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Sophie Schmidt kommt zum 1. FFC". Fr.de (in German). 26 August 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "No. 13 Sophie Schmidt". University of Portland. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Canadian Women International, Sophie Schmidt: "My faith is the single most important thing to me" – Cross the Line". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Schmidt thrives as magicJack's unknown superstar". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  7. ^ Sigurdsson, Albert (2 April 2012). "Sweden: Sophie Schmidt signs with Kristianstads DFF". WSoccerNews.com. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Chatting with Sophie Schmidt: Abbotsford's Olympic bronze medalist has a vision for Canadian soccer". Cascade. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  9. ^ Davidson, Neil (31 July 2015). "Canadian international Sophie Schmidt signs with European champion Frankfurt". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Canada Soccer announces roster for International Friendly against Brazil 2 September in Ottawa". 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  11. ^ Chelsey Bush (12 March 2019). "Sophie Schmidt gives the Dash the midfield spine that they need". Equalizer Soccer.
  12. ^ Benedict Rhoes (26 July 2020). "Canadian Sophie Schmidt scores as Houston Dash win NWSL Challenge Cup". Waking The Red.
  13. ^ "Canadian Schmidt re-signs with Houston Dash". TSN. 18 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Sophie Schmidt player profile". Canadian Olympic Committee. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Olympic women's soccer: Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair win bronze medals as Canada beats France". Oregon Live. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Schmidt: Our time has come". FIFA. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Schmidt, Sinclair power Canada to 3–0 win over Finland at Cyprus Cup". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 5 March 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ "Canada defeats Brazil to win Olympic soccer bronze at Rio 2016". olympic.ca. 19 August 2016.
  19. ^ @CanadaSoccerEN (18 February 2021). "REACTION: @sophieschmidt13 on the occasion of her 200th cap for #CANWNT" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Canadian women's soccer team delivers thrilling Olympic gold-medal victory over Sweden". CBC. 6 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Schmidt to retire from international football after World Cup". TSN. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  22. ^ Molinaro, John F. (26 July 2023). "Canada's Women's World Cup comeback cued by veteran subs, starting with Sinclair". Sportsnet. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  23. ^ Davidson, Neil (26 July 2023). "Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt help turn the tide off the bench against Irish". Times Colonist. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  24. ^ Johnson, Meaghan (27 October 2023). "Schmidt at peace with decision to retire from national team". www.TSN.CA. TSN. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  25. ^ Davidson, Neil (23 November 2023). "Sinclair to be honoured alongside Schmidt, McLeod in B.C. friendlies against Australia". CBC Sports. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Sophie Schmidt set for Canada farewell alongside longtime friend Sinclair". Sportsnet. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  27. ^ Jones, Chris (6 December 2023). "Christine Sinclair's Canadian career is over, but her impact will be felt for generations". CBC Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  28. ^ "@sophieschmidt13 on Instagram: "ENGAGED to the love of my life @nickylekiwi"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  29. ^ "@sophieschmidt13 on Instagram: "It's December. I get to marry this incredible human soon!"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  30. ^ "Sophie Schmidt Profile". Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  31. ^ "Canada vs Russia- 2017-03-03". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  32. ^ "Canada vs Nigeria- 2019-04-08". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
Match reports
  1. ^ "Canada vs France – 2005-04-27". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Canada vs Netherland – 2006-03-04". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Canada vs Ghana – 2007-09-15". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Canada vs Costa Rica – 2012-01-23". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Canada vs Scotland – 2012-02-28". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Canada vs Sweden – 2012-03-31". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Canada vs Switzerland – 2013-03-06". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Canada vs Scotland – 2013-12-22". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Canada vs Finland – 2014-03-05". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Canada vs Republic of Ireland – 2014-03-12". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Canada vs Germany – 2014-06-18". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Canada vs Japan – 2014-10-28". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Canada vs England- 2015-05-29". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Canada vs France- 2016-08-12". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
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