NWSL seeks standout performances as Rodman and Wilson make their comeback.
The 2026 NWSL season opener on Friday was characterized by notable comebacks — not only the league’s return for its largest season yet with 16 teams, but also the returns of stars Trinity Rodman, following a period of offseason uncertainty, and Sophia Wilson, who came back after last year’s maternity leave.
It had been 488 days since Wilson last took the field for the Portland Thorns, and just 50 days since Rodman and the Washington Spirit announced her new world-record contract, ensuring the USWNT star remained in the league after nearly departing.
Portland’s attacking midfielder Olivia Moultrie, an emerging talent in her own right, netted the only goal of the match on Friday, securing a surprising 1-0 victory at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. However, the broader narrative for the NWSL was the return of two members of the famed “Triple Espresso,” which the league hopes to see frequently in the future.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman discussed earlier this week how 2026 is set to be another record-setting year for the league. The NWSL aims to embed itself into the larger sports and cultural conversation to enhance its attendance, viewership, and ultimately, sponsorship and franchise valuations.
To achieve this, it requires its stars. This includes both globally recognized players like Rodman and Wilson, as well as those whose stories are still unfolding, such as Moultrie, who is now a regular call-up for the USWNT.
Wilson entered Friday’s match for the Thorns as a substitute in the 77th minute, marking a significant milestone after giving birth in September. The 2022 NWSL MVP is one of the most dynamic forwards in the league, both in dribbling and finishing; she and Rodman are highlight-reel players who keep fans engaged.
Rodman started and played the entire 90 minutes for the Spirit in the loss. She was largely contained and challenged by a solid Portland defense, but her presence on the pitch holds greater significance in the overall context than the quality of her first touch. There are still 29 matches this season to refine the technical and tactical aspects; Friday was primarily about her return.
It had been nearly four months since Rodman’s last appearance at Audi Field, during the 2025 NWSL semifinal. She played only a few minutes in that semifinal (also against the Thorns) due to injury, and there was a sense of uncertainty in the nation’s capital that day as fans speculated whether it would be the last time they saw her in a Spirit jersey.
Rodman, whose contract was nearing expiration, was considering offers from Europe that surpassed what the Spirit could afford under the NWSL’s salary cap, which increased slightly to $3.7 million this year. The following weeks were filled with contracts rejected by Berman, a grievance filed by the NWSL Players Association, the establishment of a new rule to compensate star players beyond the salary cap, and a second union grievance for good measure.
play2:16Trinity Rodman: I want to help grow soccer in the U.S.
Trinity Rodman explains her reasons for signing a contract extension with the Washington Spirit.
Rodman and the Spirit finally revealed a new agreement in late January, making her the highest-paid player in the world at over $2 million annually, including bonuses. This was not only a win for the Spirit; Rodman’s re-signing was crucial for the NWSL’s business strategy.
To lose the league’s face, especially when the 23-year-old expressed her desire to remain with the Spirit, would have been an unacceptable outcome for the NWSL.
The introduction of the High Impact Player rule (informally known as “The Rodman Rule”) and her new contract marked the conclusion of that chapter on a largely positive note. Friday signified the beginning of a new chapter for Rodman, the Spirit, and, indeed, the NWSL.
Rodman’s return to the field alongside the 25-year-old Wilson represents another success for the NWSL. Wilson’s comeback — along with the anticipated return of Mallory Swanson (the third member of the Triple Espresso) to the Chicago Stars after giving birth — highlights the strength of the collective bargaining agreement, allowing many players to feel secure in pausing their careers to become mothers, knowing they have protections and job security.
“It’s amazing,” Rodman remarked about Wilson after the match. “Having Soph on the field, even if it’s against us, is obviously great for the league, but also for her as an individual. To be that young, have a baby, and return so quickly, while still looking like Soph out there — with such body control and positioning… I’m so proud of her for accomplishing that.”
Friday’s contest also embodied much of what the NWSL lacked in its programming last year and requires moving forward in its pursuit of becoming a major league. Admittedly, each team’s execution in the final third left something to be desired — attributed to opening-day rust — as neither team managed a shot on target in the first half, and the Thorns won while controlling the ball less than 38% of the time.
However, to kick off the season on a Friday night under the lights, in front of an announced sellout crowd of over 19,000, and to showcase Rodman and Wilson to a national, casual-viewing audience? That resonates beyond the existing core fanbase, which is precisely the type of audience expansion that league executives in Manhattan discuss.
Berman and her team emphasize the NWSL’s focus on “vibe shifters” — a somewhat awkward term for a young audience on social media whose initial exposure to the NWSL might come through something like Rodman’s Instagram posts with her boyfriend, tennis star Ben Shelton. For growth, the NWSL must attract these new fans, alongside its more dedicated supporters.
Moultrie’s game-winning goal on Friday served as an important reminder of that balance. The NWSL also needs to cultivate more depth in its star power, particularly following the departures of U.S. internationals Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, and Sam Coffey to England’s WSL over the past 15 months. If Rodman and Wilson draw fans in, Moultrie and the Spirit’s Hal Hershfelt and Rosemonde Kouassi are the stars who help ensure they return.
Moultrie played a crucial role in leading the Thorns to a third-place finish last year in Wilson’s absence, scoring a team-high eight goals. For those paying close attention, 2025 marked a breakout year for the now 20-year-old, who first joined the Thorns at age 15.
When asked directly about seizing the spotlight on Friday, given the game was promoted as the return of Rodman and Wilson, Moultrie responded straightforwardly.
“My goals as a player are very ambitious, and I aim to perform at the highest level,” she stated. “I want to contribute to my team’s victories, compete for championships, and grow my role with the national team. I’m pleased, but at the same time, this is who I aspire to be, so it’s not surprising to me.”
Moments earlier, new Thorns head coach Robert Vilahamn remarked that Moultrie “has the potential to be the best player in the world,” and that Wilson “is already one of the best.”
This is the narrative the NWSL seeks to convey: one of star power, quality, and entertainment.
Friday was merely a moment in a lengthy season for both teams and the league. The Thorns still face numerous questions after former Tottenham boss Vilahamn joined them for the first time less than 48 hours before the match, following the offseason departure of Coffey to Manchester City.
Washington, and Rodman in particular, faces more pressure than ever due to substantial contracts and high expectations. After two consecutive runner-up finishes, it is championship or nothing for the Spirit, who have largely retained their roster (aside from the significant exit of Croix Bethune) and added new players like Lucia Di Guglielmo, who was a formidable defender in her debut on Friday.
Portland and Washington may still be two teams on divergent paths throughout the season. Friday’s star-studded return was undoubtedly a positive development for the NWSL as it embarks on its 13th regular season campaign.
