US women's national team forward Sophia Wilson will make her highly anticipated return to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with the Portland Thorns next season. The 25-year-old star has exercised a player option in her contract, committing her to the club for the 2026 campaign.
A Lucrative Return After Maternity Leave
The Thorns officially announced the contract extension on Wednesday. While the club did not disclose the financial terms, the sports business publication Sportico has reported the one-year option is valued at $1 million. Wilson, formerly known as Sophia Smith before her marriage to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson in January, missed the entire 2025 NWSL season while on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Gianna.
Her last appearance for Portland came in the 2024 season. In a statement released by the Thorns, Wilson expressed her excitement about returning to the city where her professional career began. "Bringing this new version of myself back to Portland is so special to me," Wilson said. "Portland is where I started my professional career and it’s where I’ve really grown up in a lot of ways."
A Proven Track Record of Success
Wilson's record with the Thorns speaks for itself, making her re-signing a major coup for the club. In her five seasons with Portland, she has netted 44 goals across all competitions. Her trophy cabinet includes the 2022 NWSL MVP award, which she earned after helping the Thorns secure the league championship that same year.
She was also instrumental in the team's 2021 NWSL Shield and Challenge Cup victories. Wilson claimed the NWSL Golden Boot in 2023 as the league's top scorer with 11 goals. Thorns general manager Jeff Agoos hailed the re-signing, stating, "She is an exceptional global star that can change the game in an instant. Sophia will strengthen our roster’s attack as we build on the success we saw in 2025."
From College Standout to International Star
Wilson's pedigree was evident from the start. A Colorado native, she was the number one overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft after a stellar collegiate career at Stanford University. There, she played a pivotal role in the Cardinal's 2019 College Cup triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final against UCLA and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Her success has translated to the international stage. Wilson was part of the gold medal-winning US team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she formed a formidable attacking trio with Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, dubbed "Triple Espresso" by fans. She also featured in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.
To date, Wilson has earned 58 caps for the USWNT, scoring 24 goals. Her individual accolades include being named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2022 and Young Player of the Year back in 2017. Her return is set to provide a significant boost to both the Portland Thorns' title ambitions and the profile of the NWSL as a whole.
