Sydney Schmidt

Schmidt grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and began playing soccer at age three.^[2][3] She joined the high school team at St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park, Florida, during sixth grade, and earned regular playing time by eighth grade, winning multiple FHSAA state championships at the end of the school's eleven-year title streak.^[3][4] She led St. Johns with 25 goals as a freshman and was named first-team all-state while finishing as the state runner-up in 2023.^[5][6] She was named All-First Coast Player of the Year by The Florida Times-Union in 2024 after scoring 24 goals as a sophomore and making the state semifinals.^[3] She grew up idolizing fellow St. Johns product Carson Pickett, whose father, Mike, coached the school's girls' team.^[7][8] Before going pro, she was committed to play college soccer for the Florida State Seminoles and planned to enroll early in the spring of 2026.^[9] She played club soccer for Jacksonville FC, earning multiple ECNL all-conference honors.^[10]

Schmidt began training with the United States under-15 and under-16 teams in 2023.^[15] She helped the United States win the U-16 UEFA Friendship Tournament in Turkey in 2024.^[16] The following year, she started two games for the under-17 team during 2025 CONCACAF U-17 Women's World Cup qualification.^[17] She then helped the under-17s to the title at the 4 Nations Tournament.^[18] She was named to the roster for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.^[12]

Schmidt is the daughter of Brad Schmidt, the boys' soccer coach at St. Johns Country Day School, and Katie Schmidt. Schmidt has one younger brother, John.^[19]