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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
Sophia Wilson, a forward for the United States women’s national team, is set to rejoin the squad this month after giving birth in September. She expressed gratitude towards teammates like Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn, who paved the way and fought for better support for players with children.
“I know I’m not the first player to have a baby and come back to the team,” Wilson said in a press conference, just a day after being named to her first USWNT roster in 17 months.
“Many remarkable players before me have done this, often under challenging circumstances without the necessary resources and support.”
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“These players fought for the benefit of those who would come after them, making it easier for mothers like me to feel supported.”
“I’m incredibly thankful for their selflessness, as they advocated for improvements even when they may not benefit directly from these changes.”
Wilson, who was instrumental in the USWNT’s journey to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, welcomed her first child in September and returned to play competitive matches with her club, the Portland Thorns, last month. This week, she was selected for head coach Emma Hayes’ 26-player roster for three upcoming matches against Japan.
Both the USWNT and the NWSL have ratified new collective bargaining agreements that include enhanced protections for players, particularly expectant mothers and their transitions back to the field.
The USWNT’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that players receive compensation for up to six months postpartum, along with the right to be called up to a USWNT camp once they are ready.
Morgan, a key figure in the equal pay movement over the last decade, gave birth in 2020 and returned to compete in the Olympics the next year. This was Wilson’s first chance to see how motherhood intertwined with professional athlete life at the international level.
Wilson also saw Dunn, a teammate and mentor, give birth shortly after along with Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby.
Dunn played a significant role in the equal pay advocacy against U.S. Soccer and served as vice president and secretary of the player union. She was among the three players who physically signed the new collective bargaining agreement in 2022.
Wilson has netted 24 goals in 58 appearances for the USWNT. She missed all of 2025 for maternity leave for the birth of her daughter, Gianna “Gigi.”
Wilson describes her role as a mother as her greatest calling, stating, “I aim to do everything I can as a mom unless physically unable.” She does acknowledge having a nanny to help, especially when traveling.
The NWSL’s collective bargaining agreement similarly grants players their full base salary during pregnancy leave and includes ongoing insurance benefits. If a contract is set to expire during pregnancy, the player must be invited to the next preseason camp.
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At 25, Wilson has participated in all four of the Thorns’ matches since the beginning of the 2026 NWSL season, making her first start last Saturday.
Leading up to the Thorns’ game against the North Carolina Courage, Wilson stated that her outlook on life—and soccer—has positively shifted since becoming a mother.
“I feel more grounded and present, and I believe this perspective also influences how I approach the game,” she shared. “I strive to maintain a ‘goldfish mentality,’ being fully engaged in each practice and game while letting go of anything unhelpful.”
As she anticipates her return to the USWNT in the coming weeks, Wilson will become the 18th mother to play for the team, aiming to 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. Together with Trinity Rodman, Wilson and Swanson formed the “Triple Espresso” attack, contributing significantly during the USWNT’s Olympic gold medal campaign in 2024.
“I’ve kept in touch with [Wilson] and we’ve had regular conversations. This truly feels like the right moment,” Hayes said to reporters this week. “Not just because she’s performing at a high level again, but it’s vital for us to start reintegrating players like Sophia back into a rhythm in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Wilson mentioned that she has been navigating the balance between her competitive nature and her new responsibilities since becoming pregnant. She emphasized being more patient with herself and recognizing the effort that goes into her comeback.
“Returning to top performance is not a straightforward journey,” she explained. “It won’t happen instantly.”
She added, “I’m focusing on being kind to myself and recognizing all that my body has achieved while continuing to do so. I believe it’s possible to excel in both roles—as a devoted mom and as a competitive athlete.”