"Being her mom is just the most special thing ever. I feel so lucky. I think it just makes me feel like I'm playing for something so much bigger than what I was playing for before."
"What we spoke about this morning was not only to come back, but to actually try to push her to be even better than she was before. A few of the players I have had, they have had a baby and they come back even stronger, even more motivated, and I think I am going to try to push her every [way] I can to make sure she gets back into the national team."
Sophia Wilson made her competitive return to soccer after spending over a year on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter in September. The 2022 NWSL MVP entered Friday's match as a substitute in the 77th minute as Portland Thorns defeated Washington Spirit 1-0 in the 2026 NWSL season opener. Midfielder Olivia Moultrie scored the winning goal in the 52nd minute. Wilson, who helped the United States win Olympic gold in 2024, last played in the Thorns' 2024 quarterfinal. New head coach Robert Vilahamn expressed confidence in Wilson's potential to return stronger and reclaim her place on the national team.
Read at ESPN.com
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