Mallory Pugh and Sophia Smith: ‘Bonafide superstars’ and the future of USWNT
By Laken LitmanFOX Sports Soccer WriterIn June, Vlatko Andonovski revealed the future of the U.S. women's national team."I don't think it will be surprising if I say that it will be extremely difficult for a player to come in and take their starting spots," Andonovski said during a roster reveal ahead of the CONCACAF W Championship tournament — which doubled as qualifying for both the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics. The USWNT coach was singling out two young forwards, 24-year-old Mallory Pugh and 22-year-old Sophia Smith."Those are two players that will enjoy a lot of minutes on the field," he added.To those who follow the sport, Pugh and Smith aren't new — their respective careers have been rising meteorically, often intertwining. They'...