Sophie Schmidt

Last updated

Sophie Schmidt
NC Courage vs Houston Dash (Mar 2024) 145.jpg
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 37)
Place of birth Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height1.72 m (5 ft 7+12 in) [1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Houston Dash
Number 13
Youth career
Abbotsford Rush
Vancouver Whitecaps
Surrey United SC
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2007–2010 Portland Pilots 57 (33)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(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 110 (8)
International career
2004 Canada U19 4 (0)
2006–2008 Canada U20 12 (2)
2005–2023 Canada 226 (20)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Tokyo Team
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2012 London Team
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
CONCACAF W Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2010 Mexico
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2018 United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Guadalajara Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:46, 31 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of December 5, 2023

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.

Contents

Early life

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

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] She graduated in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Life Science and German. [6]

Club career

Early career

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, [7] followed by a short-term contract with Kristianstads DFF in 2012. [8] [9]

Schmidt playing for Sky Blue FC, 2013 Sophie Schmidt 2013-04-27 Spirit - Sky Blue-43 (8955270244).jpg
Schmidt playing for Sky Blue FC, 2013

Sky Blue FC

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

Schmidt signed a one-year deal for German club 1. FFC Frankfurt of the Bundesliga on 31 July 2015. [10] Schmidt left 1. FFC Frankfurt following the 2017–2018 Bundesliga season. [11]

Houston Dash

After three seasons with Frankfurt, Schmidt would sign with NWSL club Houston Dash in 2019. [12] She made her debut for the club on April 14, 2019, against Seattle Reign FC. [13] 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. [14] In December 2020, she would re-sign with the Dash through the 2022 season, with the Dash having an option for the 2023 season. [15] On October 4, 2024, Schmidt signed a two-year contract extension through 2026 , with a mutual option for 2027. [13]

International career

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. [16]

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. [17] [18] She scored two goals in a 3–0 win over Finland at the 2014 Cyprus Cup on 5 March 2014. [19] In August 2016, she won the bronze medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics. [20]

18 February 2021, she played her 200th match for Canada in a 1–0 defeat against the United States in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup. [21] On August 6, 2021, she won the Olympic gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics with Canada, playing once by starting in a 1-1 draw against Great Britain. [22] [23]

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. [24] On March 9, 2023, Schmidt spoke before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage alongside teammates Christine Sinclair, Quinn and Janine Sonis, criticizing Canada Soccer's treatment of the women's program. [25] [26] 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. [27] [28]

Following Canada's group stage exit from the 2023 World Cup, Schmidt initially followed through on her planned international retirement. [29] 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. [30] Following an injury to midfielder Julia Grosso, she agreed to feature in both matches. [31] 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. [32]

Personal life

Schmidt became engaged to Nic Kyle, an actor and singer, in September 2017. [33] They married in New Zealand in December 2018. [34]

Schmidt received an honourary degree from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2019. [35]

Career statistics

Club

As of August 29, 2025 [36]
ClubLeagueSeasonLeaguePlayoffsCupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sky Blue FC NWSL 2013 207000000207
2014 221000000221
Total428000000428
FFC Frankfurt Bundesliga 2015–16 140001051201
2016–17 213001000213
2017–18 173003100204
Total526004151618
Houston Dash NWSL 2019 180000000180
2020 43007100114
2021 180002000200
2022 183116000254
2023 200002000220
2024 230000030260
2025 8100000081
Total109711171301309
Career total20421112028123325

International goals

Key (expand for notes on "international goals" and sorting)
LocationGeographic location of the venue where the competition occurred
Sorted by country name first, then by city name
LineupStart – 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)
MinThe 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/passThe 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 pkGoal 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.)
ScoreThe match score after the goal was scored.
Sorted by goal difference, then by goal scored by the player's team
ResultThe 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

aetThe 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
Green background colorexhibition or closed door international friendly match
Yellow background color – match at an invitational tournament
Red 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
DateLocationOpponentLineup#MinScoreResultCompetition
1
2005-04-27 [m 1] Bischheim, FranceFlag of France.svg  France 1.175

1–0

2–0

Friendly
2
2006-03-04 [m 2] Vancouver, CanadaFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1.171

3–1

3–1

Friendly
3
2007-09-15 [m 3] Hangzhou, ChinaFlag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 1.155

2–0

4–0

FIFA Women's World Cup
4
2012-01-23 [m 4] Vancouver, CanadaFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica

off 60' (on Timko)

1.110

2–0

4–2

Olympic qualifier
5
2012-02-28 [m 5] Larnaca, CyprusFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland

off 77' (on Buckland)

2.136

2–1

5–1

Cyprus Cup
6
2.251

3–1

7
2012-03-31 [m 6] Malmö, SwedenFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1.187

1–3

1–1

Friendly
8
2013-03-06 [m 7] Larnaca, CyprusFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland

off 86' (on Lawrence)

1.12

1–0

2–0

Cyprus Cup
9
2013-12-22 [m 8] Brasília, BrazilFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 1.190

1–0

1–0

Brasília Tournament
10
2014-03-05 [m 9] Nicosia, CyprusFlag of Finland.svg  Finland

off 72' (on Ezurike)

2.135

1–0

3–0

Cyprus Cup
11
2.242

2–0

12
2014-03-12 [m 10] Nicosia, CyprusFlag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland 1.190

2–1

2–1

Cyprus Cup
13
2014-06-18 [m 11] Vancouver, CanadaFlag of Germany.svg  Germany

off 80' (on Leon)

1.154

1–1

1–2

Friendly
14
2014-06-18 [m 12] Vancouver, CanadaFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 2.158

1–1

2–3

Friendly
15
2.290+1

2–2

16
2015-05-29 [m 13] Hamilton, CanadaFlag of England.svg  England Start1.123

1–0

1–0

Friendly
172016-08-12 [m 14] São Paulo, BrazilFlag of France.svg  France

off 81' (on Quinn)

1.155

1–0

1–0

Olympics: quarterfinal
182017-03-03 [37] Almancil, PortugalFlag of Russia.svg  Russia

off 78' (on Carle)

1.191–02–1 Algarve Cup
192019-04-08 [38] San Pedro del Pinatar, SpainFlag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria

on 46' (off Grosso)

1.1531–02–1Friendly
202022-07-12 Guadalupe, MexicoFlag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica

on 61' (off Quinn)

1.1702-02-0Concacaf W Championship

Honours

Houston Dash

Canada U20

Canada

Individual

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  3. "Sophie Schmidt kommt zum 1. FFC". Fr.de (in German). 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "No. 13 Sophie Schmidt". University of Portland. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. 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. "Sophie Schmidt". Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  7. "Schmidt thrives as magicJack's unknown superstar". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  8. Sigurdsson, Albert (2 April 2012). "Sweden: Sophie Schmidt signs with Kristianstads DFF". WSoccerNews.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  9. "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.
  10. Davidson, Neil (31 July 2015). "Canadian international Sophie Schmidt signs with European champion Frankfurt". The Globe and Mail . Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  11. "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.
  12. Chelsey Bush (12 March 2019). "Sophie Schmidt gives the Dash the midfield spine that they need". Equalizer Soccer. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  13. 1 2 FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash". Houston Dynamo FC. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  14. Benedict Rhoes (26 July 2020). "Canadian Sophie Schmidt scores as Houston Dash win NWSL Challenge Cup". Waking The Red. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  15. "Canadian Schmidt re-signs with Houston Dash". TSN. 18 December 2020.
  16. "Sophie Schmidt player profile". Canadian Olympic Committee. 18 September 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  17. "Olympic women's soccer: Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair win bronze medals as Canada beats France". Oregon Live. 9 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  18. "Schmidt: Our time has come". FIFA. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  19. "Schmidt, Sinclair power Canada to 3–0 win over Finland at Cyprus Cup". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 5 March 2014.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. "Canada defeats Brazil to win Olympic soccer bronze at Rio 2016". olympic.ca. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  21. @CanadaSoccerEN (18 February 2021). "REACTION: @sophieschmidt13 on the occasion of her 200th cap for #CANWNT" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  22. "Canadian women's soccer team delivers thrilling Olympic gold-medal victory over Sweden". CBC. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  23. Estefanell, Ignacio (27 July 2021). "Canadian soccer team advances to knockout round with draw vs. Great Britain". CBC. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  24. "Schmidt to retire from international football after World Cup". TSN . 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  25. "Captain Christine Sinclair slams Canada Soccer at parliamentary hearing". Sportsnet.ca. The Canadian Press. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  26. cache (13 March 2023). CHPC Meeting 68 - Safe Sport in Canada . Retrieved 18 May 2025 via YouTube.
  27. Molinaro, John F. (26 July 2023). "Canada's Women's World Cup comeback cued by veteran subs, starting with Sinclair". Sportsnet . Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  28. Davidson, Neil (26 July 2023). "Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt help turn the tide off the bench against Irish". Times Colonist . Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  29. Johnson, Meaghan (27 October 2023). "Schmidt at peace with decision to retire from national team". www.TSN.CA. TSN. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  30. Davidson, Neil (23 November 2023). "Sinclair to be honoured alongside Schmidt, McLeod in B.C. friendlies against Australia". CBC Sports . Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  31. "Sophie Schmidt set for Canada farewell alongside longtime friend Sinclair". Sportsnet . 30 November 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  32. Jones, Chris (6 December 2023). "Christine Sinclair's Canadian career is over, but her impact will be felt for generations". CBC Sports . Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  33. "@sophieschmidt13 on Instagram: "ENGAGED to the love of my life @nickylekiwi"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  34. "@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.
  35. "Abbotsford's Sophie Schmidt wins gold medal". The Abbotsford News. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  36. "Sophie Schmidt Profile". Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  37. "Canada vs Russia- 2017-03-03". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019.
  38. "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. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  2. "Canada vs Netherland – 2006-03-04". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  3. "Canada vs Ghana – 2007-09-15". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  4. "Canada vs Costa Rica – 2012-01-23". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  5. "Canada vs Scotland – 2012-02-28". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  6. "Canada vs Sweden – 2012-03-31". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  7. "Canada vs Switzerland – 2013-03-06". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  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. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  10. "Canada vs Republic of Ireland – 2014-03-12". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  11. "Canada vs Germany – 2014-06-18". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  12. "Canada vs Japan – 2014-10-28". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. "Canada vs England- 2015-05-29". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  14. "Canada vs France- 2016-08-12". Canada Soccer Association. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.