VIDEO: Bizarre red card for USWNT star Sophia Smith! Portland Thorns forward picks up second yellow in NWSL clash for hiding ball under her seat

The 23-year-old netted what proved to be the only goal of the game in a keenly-fought clash with the North Carolina Courage. She held her nerve in the 79th minute when converting from the penalty spot. In the final minute of the 90, Smith was cautioned for time wasting.

Her game-delaying tactics were not done there, though, and she would go on to see red. Smith was substituted in the seventh-minute of stoppage-time – which appeared to bring her contest to a close. There was, however, to be even later drama.

In the 102nd minute, the ball rolled off the pitch and into the Thorns dugout. Smith quickly conjured up a plan to take more seconds off the clock, as she grabbed the ball and pushed it under her seat. She had a mischievous smile on her face throughout, but the match referee did not see the funny side and cautioned the United States international once again.

Smith will now have to serve a suspension, which is not good news for the Thorns as they continue to chase down a playoff berth. They will hope that Smith – who will be looking to figure prominently for her country at the Olympic Games in Paris later this year – has learned an important lesson.