Taylor Smith (soccer, born 2007)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Taylor Ava Smith[1] | ||
| Date of birth | October 14, 2007[2] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Fort Lauderdale United | ||
| Number | 23 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Fort Lauderdale United | 27 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of June 14, 2025 | |||
Taylor Ava Smith (born October 14, 2007) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United. She debuted for Fort Lauderdale United, which her father owns, at age 16 and signed professionally with the team at age 17 in 2025.
Early life
The daughter of Fort Lauderdale United founder and chairman Tommy Smith,[3] Smith grew up Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She began playing soccer around age six and often played with boys growing up.[4] She joined the varsity team at NSU University School in Davie, Florida, when she was in eighth grade.[5] In her freshman season, she scored 17 goals and added 24 assists as she captained the team to the state finals in 2023.[2] She posted 24 goals and 33 assists as a sophomore, returning to the state semifinals, and was named the Miami Herald's Broward 4A-2A Girls' Soccer Player of the Year in 2024.[6]
Career
Smith joined Fort Lauderdale United as an academy player (allowing her to retain college eligibility) before the USL Super League's inaugural season.[7] She was the team's youngest player at 16 years old.[2][8] She made her professional debut on September 6, 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute in United's second game, a 2–1 loss to the Carolina Ascent.[9] She subsequently became a regular starter and helped the team to the top of the standings during the spring.[7][10] On March 20, 2025, Fort Lauderdale United announced that Smith had signed a professional contract with the club, becoming the league's first academy player to turn professional and the league's youngest professional player at the time.[7] United placed fourth in the inaugural league season and upset the Ascent in the playoff semifinals.[11] On June 14, she started in the inaugural USL Super League final, playing 77 minutes in the eventual 1–0 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Sun.[12]
References
- ^ "Team Captain, Taylor Smith, Leads NSU University School's Soccer Team to the State Championship". KTXL. March 13, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Taylor Smith". Fort Lauderdale United FC. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Zbar, Jeff (December 6, 2025). "Meet the SFBJ's inaugural Power Leaders in Sports". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
Tommy Smith ... My daughter, Taylor Smith, who plays defense on the team, is absolutely my favorite athlete
- ^ Fort Lauderdale United [@ftlutd]; (April 30, 2025). "She grew up in this city. Now she's playing for it". Retrieved May 5, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Super Signings Recap: July 1-12". USL Super League. July 12, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Fernandez, Andre (March 28, 2024). "NSU University School's Taylor Smith is the Broward 4A-2A Girls Soccer Player of the Year". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Taylor Smith Becomes Super League's First Academy Player to Earn Pro Contract". Fort Lauderdale United FC. March 20, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Walker, Heather; Hall, Darcelle. "Two teen soccer players help boost South Florida's first professional women's soccer team". WSVN. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Taylor Smith at Soccerway
- ^ "Fort Lauderdale draws with Spokane, extends unbeaten streak to 9 matches". Fort Lauderdale United FC. March 22, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Pohly, Kaitlyn (June 13, 2025). "Fort Lauderdale United silences its doubters heading into inaugural USL final". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Sun FC 1–0 Fort Lauderdale United FC". USL Super League. June 14, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
External links
- Taylor Smith at Soccerway.com