Sophia Wilson, forward for the United States women’s national team, is preparing to rejoin the squad this month after giving birth in September. She expressed her appreciation for the mothers who paved the way for her on the team, including Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn, and for the enhanced protections they and other generations have advocated for to assist players with children.
“I recognize that I am not the first player to have a baby and return to the game,” Wilson stated to reporters on Thursday, just a day after being selected for her first USWNT roster in 17 months.
“Numerous remarkable players have accomplished this, many under challenging circumstances, lacking the necessary resources and support.
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“These players fought hard for those who would follow in their footsteps, ensuring that players like myself would feel more supported.
“I am very thankful for that, as it is a selfless act to engage in those negotiations and advocate for improvements, knowing that the benefits may not be for them but for future players.”
Wilson, who excelled for the USWNT during its journey to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, welcomed her first child in September and returned to competitive play last month with her club, the Portland Thorns. This week, she was included in USWNT head coach Emma Hayes’ 26-player roster for three matches against Japan later this month.
Both the USWNT and the NWSL have ratified new collective bargaining agreements in recent years, introducing various player protections that enhance support for expecting mothers and their potential returns to the game.
According to the USWNT’s CBA, players receive a predetermined amount for up to six months. They also have the right to be called up to a USWNT camp after giving birth, when they feel ready.
Morgan, a key figure in the equal pay movement over the past decade, gave birth to her first child in 2020 and returned to compete in the Olympics the following year. This was Wilson’s first direct exposure to the experience of being a mother at the professional and international level, she noted.
Wilson then witnessed Dunn, who was a teammate and “big sister” for both the USWNT and the Thorns, give birth shortly thereafter, along with Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby.
Dunn was also involved in the equal pay advocacy against U.S. Soccer, ultimately serving as vice president and secretary of the union. She was one of three players present for the formal signing of the new CBA in 2022.
Wilson has netted 24 goals in 58 appearances for the USWNT. She took a break from club and national team activities in 2025 for maternity leave prior to the birth of her daughter, Gianna “Gigi.”
Wilson stated that being a mother is her “greatest calling in life.” She added, “I am a mom who strives to do everything unless I physically cannot,” although she has a nanny to assist her, particularly while traveling.
The NWSL’s CBA provides players with 100% of their base salary during pregnancy leave, along with ongoing insurance. Furthermore, if a player’s contract expires during her pregnancy, her team is required to invite her to the next preseason camp.
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Wilson, 25, has participated in all four Thorns matches at the start of the 2026 NWSL season, making her first start last Saturday.
Addressing reporters before the Thorns’ match against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, Wilson remarked that her outlook on lifeβand soccerβhas positively transformed since becoming a mother in September.
“I feel more grounded; I feel more present, and I believe that reflects in how I approach the game,” she said.
“I am trying to adopt a goldfish mentalityβbeing present in every practice and game, moving on to the next. I aim to take what I need and learn from each experience while leaving the rest behind.”
When she makes her anticipated return to the field for the USWNT in the upcoming weeks, Wilson will become the 18th mother to play for the U.S. She would also be the ninth mother to score for the USWNT with her next international goal.
Wilson may soon be joined by fellow USWNT forward Mallory Swanson, who welcomed her first child last November. Along with Trinity Rodman, Swanson and Wilson formed the “Triple Espresso” attack, which accounted for 10 of the USWNT’s 12 goals during their Olympic gold-medal campaign in 2024.
“I have, of course, kept in touch with [Wilson], and we have spoken regularly, and this truly feels like the right moment,” Hayes told reporters this week. “Not only because she is performing again at a high level, but it is also crucial for us to start reintegrating players like Soph into a rhythm as we prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Wilson mentioned that she has been focusing on balancing her competitive spirit with her new circumstances since her pregnancy, emphasizing that she is more patient with herself and that significant work is taking place behind the scenes.
“Returning to a high level of play is not a straightforward journey,” she stated. “It won’t happen instantly.”
She continued: “For me, it’s about being kind to myself and approaching it with the mindset of, ‘Look at what my body has accomplished and what it continues to do for me.’ I believe it is possible to excel in both rolesβbeing a great mother and a great athlete.”
