LOS ANGELES — Sophia Wilson is set to make her return for the Portland Thorns in the upcoming National Women’s Soccer League season opener after taking last season off for maternity leave.
During an NWSL event in Los Angeles on Thursday, Wilson expressed her hopes of participating in the forthcoming SheBelieves Cup in early March with the U.S. national team. The Thorns will kick off their NWSL season on March 13 against the Washington Spirit.
“I’ll be ready for opening day. I hope to get some minutes in the SheBelieves Cup to ease back into it. I miss being with the team and dislike not being in camp. I’m looking forward to training with the girls and getting those minutes, so I’m fully prepared for the opening match,” Wilson stated.
Last September, Wilson welcomed her daughter Gianna into the world. Formerly known as Sophia Smith, she is married to Michael Wilson, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.
At 25, Wilson was part of the national team that clinched gold at the Paris Olympics. She was part of a dynamic front line alongside Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, nicknamed “Triple Espresso.”
Additionally, Wilson was part of the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad and has played in 58 matches for the national team, scoring 24 goals. She was recognized as U.S. Soccer’s women’s Player of the Year in 2022 and won the Young Player of the Year award in 2017.
“I took a year off and gained a lot of insights about myself during that time away from the game,” Wilson shared. “It was beneficial for me, but I’m thrilled to return because soccer is my passion, and I’m coming back with renewed energy this year.”
This past week, Wilson joined the Thorns for training camp in Santa Bárbara, California, with Gianna in tow, watching the U.S. team secure a 5-0 victory against Chile at UC Santa Barbara.
In her five seasons with the Thorns, Wilson has netted 44 goals in total competitions. She was awarded the NWSL MVP title in 2022, contributing to Portland’s championship win, and led the league in scoring with 11 goals in 2023, earning the Golden Boot.
A native of Colorado, Wilson was the top pick in the 2020 NWSL draft out of Stanford, where she helped secure the 2019 College Cup championship.
In December, Wilson exercised her player option to spend another season with the Thorns.
The United States will host Canada, Argentina, and Colombia in the SheBelieves Cup, commencing on March 1. The tournament will feature doubleheaders in three cities: Nashville, Tennessee; Columbus, Ohio; and Harrison, New Jersey.