Taylor Smith

Club career

Western New York Flash/North Carolina Courage, 2016–2017 Smith was named to the Western New York Flash opening day roster for the 2016 NWSL season. She made twenty appearances for the club and scored two goals. The team's fourth-place finish during the regular season with a record secured the team a berth to the playoffs. After defeating the Portland Thorns FC 4–3 in extra time during the semifinal, the Flash faced the Washington Spirit in the final and won the game in a penalty kick shootout after finishing 2–2 in extra time. Three months after the win, the Western New York Flash was sold to the ownership group of North Carolina FC and moved to Cary, North Carolina where they became the North Carolina Courage.

Washington Spirit, 2018 In January 2018, Smith was traded to the Washington Spirit along with teammate Ashley Hatch in exchange for Crystal Dunn's rights. Prior to the start of the season, Smith was added to the allocated player list by U.S. Soccer. She appeared in 23 games for Washington in the 2018 season.

Loan to Newcastle Jets, 2018 In October 2018, after the conclusion NWSL season, Smith signed with the Newcastle Jets on loan for the 2018–19 W-League season. She became a key player in her first several appearances, earning the team's Player of the Month honors in November. In mid-December, Smith suffered an ACL tear in the 86th minute against Perth Glory after having registered two assists to fellow on-loan American, Katie Stengel.

Reign FC, 2019–2020 On March 22, 2019, Reign FC announced that they had signed Smith through the discovery process for former allocated players. Due to the injury she suffered in the W-League, Smith was not expected to play during the 2019 NWSL season.

North Carolina Courage, 2021–2022 On December 7, 2020, Smith was acquired by North Carolina Courage in a trade for Ally Watt. She parted ways with the club on June 21, 2022.

NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2022–2024 On June 24, 2022, NJ/NY Gotham FC signed Smith off waivers.

Loan to Brighton & Hove Albion, 2024 On January 31, 2023, Smith signed for Brighton & Hove Albion on loan for the remainder of the season.

Brooklyn FC, 2024–2025 On August 1, 2024, Smith joined Brooklyn FC ahead of their inaugural season in the USL Super League. Smith departed Brooklyn FC by mutual consent in January 2025.

León, 2025–

Smith joined Mexican club León in February 2025.

International career In January 2017, Smith was called into training camp for the United States women's national soccer team for the first time by head coach Jill Ellis. She earned her first cap for the team on July 27 when she started in the right back defender position during a match in Seattle against Australia at the 2017 Tournament of Nations.

Smith was named to the U.S. roster for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, she started two games as the United States won the tournament for the second time.

Personal life Smith came out publicly as a lesbian in 2017.

In 2024, Smith appeared in the first season of The Offseason, a reality television series following a group of NWSL players training before the new season.

Career statistics Club .

Honors UCLA Bruins NCAA Women's Soccer Championship: 2013

Western New York Flash NWSL Champions: 2016

North Carolina Courage NWSL Shield: 2017

NJ/NY Gotham FC NWSL Championship: 2023

United States SheBelieves Cup: 2018