Sophia Wilson targets return for NWSL season opener following maternity leave.
LOS ANGELES — Sophia Wilson intends to return for the Portland Thorns’ National Women’s Soccer League season opener after taking last season off for maternity leave.
During an NWSL event on Thursday in Los Angeles, Wilson expressed her desire to participate in the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in early March with the United States national team. The Thorns are set to begin the NWSL season on March 13, facing the Washington Spirit on the road.
“I will be prepared for opening day. I hope to get some minutes in SheBelieves, just to ease back into it. I miss the team and dislike not being in camp. So I am hoping to join the girls in camp and get some minutes there, and then be ready for opening day,” Wilson stated.
Wilson welcomed her daughter Gianna last September. Previously known as Sophia Smith, she is married to Michael Wilson, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.
The 25-year-old forward was part of the national team that secured the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Fans referred to the trio of Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson as “Triple Espresso.”
Also included in the 2023 Women’s World Cup roster, Wilson has participated in 58 matches with the national team, netting 24 goals. She received the U.S. Soccer women’s Player of the Year award in 2022 and was named Young Player of the Year in 2017.
“I took a year off and gained a lot of insight about myself and my identity when I am not playing,” Wilson remarked. “I believe that was beneficial for me, but I am thrilled to return because I am a soccer player and it is my passion, so I come back with renewed energy this year.”
Wilson joined the Thorns for training camp this past week in Santa Bárbara, California. Gianna was with her to witness the United States defeat Chile 5-0 on Tuesday at UC Santa Barbara.
In her five seasons with the Thorns, Wilson has scored 44 goals across all competitions. She was honored as the NWSL’s MVP in 2022 after contributing to Portland’s championship victory. She earned 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 played a key role in the Cardinal’s 2019 College Cup title win.
Wilson opted to extend her contract for another season with the club in Portland this past December.
The United States will host Canada, Argentina, and Colombia in the SheBelieves Cup, which begins on March 1. The round-robin tournament will take place as doubleheaders in three locations: Nashville, Tennessee; Columbus, Ohio; and Harrison, New Jersey.
