Newsmaker: Kelly Smith (England)

By Jesse Campigotto

Even the keenest of observers aren't quite sure what to expect from England when it begins its Women's World Cup campaign on Sept. 11 against Japan. Much of that has to do with the uncertainty surrounding Kelly Smith, perhaps the biggest x-factor in the tournament.

Not that anyone questions the 28 year-old striker's talent. A wizard of ball control capable of unleashing powerful and deadly accurate shots with both feet, Smith is coming off a terrific 2006-07 professional season in which she led Arsenal Ladies to an unprecedented women's quadruple, scoring a combined 30 goals as the Gunners captured the Premier League, FA Cup, FA League Cup and UEFA Cup titles.

Smith has also sparkled of late on the international stage. She was named the top player in a tough World Cup tuneup tournament against China, defending world champion Germany, and the two-time champs from the U.S. Smith also drew raves for her hat trick against Holland during a 2006 qualifier, and for helping England cruise through its preliminary group unbeaten to ascend to a best-ever 12th spot in the world rankings.

"Kelly Smith has been so under the radar even though she's been successful," CBC soccer analyst and former national team player Helen Stoumbos told CBCSports.ca. "But this year, there's coaches from around the world saying that she's probably one of the best players in the world."

So what's taken Smith so long to get the recognition her talent would seem to demand? A lack of experience, for one. England hasn't qualified for a Women's World Cup since 1995, and Smith has never appeared in soccer's top international event. Though she's been a member of the Three Lions since the age of 16, Smith has just 61 caps under her belt, during which she has scored 21 goals. Not a bad total, but nowhere near those posted by elite players like Brazil's Marta or Canada's Christine Sinclair.

The biggest reason for those modest international numbers is Smith's lack of durability, a problem that has dogged her for years.

After a stellar three-year U.S. collegiate career at Seton Hall University, where she led the NCAA Division I in scoring in each of her last two seasons, Smith limped through five injury-plagued seasons in the now-defunct WUSA and the W-League. So frustrating were her physical woes that Smith battled bouts of depression before eventually returning to England to join Arsenal.

"I got into a very bad patch," Smith told England's Observer Sport Monthly. "I get my happiness from playing, but I couldn't play. I didn't talk to anybody about it. Perhaps that's where the problems stemmed from. I wasn't in contact with my family and it got very lonely.

"I always gave a smile, everybody thought I was OK, but deep down I was really hurting."

Back on her side of the pond, Smith seems to have finally found health and happiness. After missing most of 2004-05, she returned late in the season to score the Premiership-clinching goal against Charlton. A year later, Smith led the league with 19 goals in 16 matches to earn player of the year honours and another championship for Arsenal.

Now, on the heels of her wildly successful 2006-07 professional campaign, Smith says she's ready to lead her national side to the next level.

"I've been given a gift and I call it a gift because - even though it sounds arrogant - it comes naturally," she told the Observer. "This is my calling: to help put England on the map."

When match-fit, Smith is certainly capable of doing just that. Her ability to make it through the World Cup unscathed will determine whether England can stand with the best on the planet.