The Portland Thorns declared on Thursday that forward Sophia Wilson has been taken off the maternity leave list in advance of the 2026 NWSL season and is now eligible for selection.
Wilson was on leave last season following the birth of her daughter Gianna in September 2025. In January, she expressed her desire to be prepared for the NWSL regular season, which the Thorns will commence on March 13 against the Washington Spirit.
Prior to that, the Thorns are set to face Liga MX Femenil team Monterrey in a friendly on Friday, March 6, where Wilson may make her first appearance since representing the United States on October 27, 2024.
Previously known as Sophia Smith, she is married to Michael Wilson, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.
During a January interview, Wilson mentioned her aspiration to participate in the SheBelieves Cup with the USWNT, but she was not prepared to return to the national team in time for the tournament, which is currently taking place in the U.S.
The 25-year-old forward was part of the national team that secured the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Fans referred to the attacking trio of Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson as “Triple Espresso.”
Also included in the 2023 Women’s World Cup roster, Wilson has appeared in 58 matches with the national team, netting 24 goals. She was honored as U.S. Soccer’s women’s Player of the Year in 2022 and received the Young Player of the Year award in 2017.
“I spent a year off and learned a lot about myself and who I am when I am not playing,” Wilson stated in January. “I think that was beneficial for me, but I’m eager to return because I am a soccer player and it’s what I love to do, so I have a fresh new energy coming in this year.”
In her five seasons with the Thorns, Wilson has tallied 44 goals across all competitions. She was named the NWSL’s MVP in 2022 after contributing to Portland’s championship victory. She claimed the Golden Boot in 2023, leading the league with 11 goals.
A native of Colorado, Wilson was the top pick in the 2020 NWSL draft after her time at Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal secure the 2019 College Cup title.
Wilson opted to exercise the player option in her contract to extend her stay with the club in Portland in December.
The United States triumphed over Argentina in its opening match at the SheBelieves Cup and subsequently defeated Canada on Wednesday to secure the top position in the tournament. The USWNT will play its final match of the competition on Saturday against Colombia.
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.
