Smith keeps growing as U.S. wins again at home

Young forward, 22, scores twice and gets an assist in a 4-0 victory over Nigeria.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sophia Smith scored two first-half goals and the U.S. women’s national team defeated Nigeria 4-0 Saturday as both teams prepare for next summer’s World Cup.

The U.S. has a 70-game unbeaten streak on American soil — 63 wins and seven draws. The teams play again Tuesday in Washington.

Smith outmaneuvered a defender and scored from distance in the 14th minute. Lindsey Horan made it 2-0 in the 26th minute with a goal to the far post off an assist from Smith, who added a second goal in first-half stoppage time.

Alex Morgan converted on a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after Mallory Pugh was fouled in the box.

Smith leads the national team with nine goals this year.

Smith, 22, is developing different parts of her game, U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said.

“We saw a couple of good connections with Alex, a couple of good connections with the players that were around,” Andonovski said. “So she’s becoming not just individually a very good player, but she’s also bringing other players in the game and helps them look better on the field.”