Sophia Wilson Returns to USWNT With Fresh Perspective: “I Want to Enjoy It All”

The last time Sophia Wilson suited up for the U.S. Women’s National Team, her world looked completely different. Not only was “Smith” still on the back of her jersey, but she had yet to step into the next chapter of her life and career as a mom.

After 17 months away, the forward is set to make her return to the international stage next week. Wilson was named to the USWNT April roster for her first call-up since the birth of her daughter, an event she said has shifted her perspective on life “in all the best ways.”

“I feel more grounded, more present, and I think that's how I view the game as well,” Wilson said. “I realized that my career is going by, and while I'm still in the prime years, I want to enjoy it all. You can't play soccer forever, unfortunately. So, I think just being present, more than anything, is what I'm trying to take from being a mom.”

The near year-and-a-half away from the sport was the longest absence of Wilson’s professional and international career. After winning an NCAA championship with Stanford in 2019, she was selected No. 1 overall by the Portland Thorns in the 2020 NWSL Draft. She thrived over the next few years, earning NWSL MVP honors and a league title in 2022 while becoming a consistent part of the USWNT attacking unit. Wilson recorded three goals and two assists in the 2024 Olympics as part of the “Triple Espresso” front line that led the team to a gold medal.

Despite the nonstop nature she had become accustomed to, Wilson said she felt no pressure to get back out on the field after her pregnancy.

“I knew from the time I got pregnant that I was going to be very patient with myself through the whole process,” Wilson said. “Getting back to playing at a high level is not just a straight path. It's not going to happen with the snap of my fingers. It's just being gracious with myself and going into it with the perspective of, ‘Look at what my body has done for me and what it's continuing to do for me.’”

Head coach Emma Hayes said Wilson will play a limited role in her first camp back with the squad, but if the striker sees action in any of the three matches, she will become the 18th mother to play for the USWNT. Should she score a goal, it would make her the ninth player to score for the U.S. as a mom.

Wilson said she felt confident in her return to play after motherhood because of the examples she saw around her. She highlighted her experience playing with USWNT legends Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn, who both returned to the team after having kids.

“I hope that I carry myself in the same way that Alex did,” Wilson said. “It showed young girls and athletes that it is very possible to do both, to have a family and play at a high level.”

Wilson also cited her village of support for helping in her return to action. She said she can balance both mom and player duties because of the resources available on the international and club levels.

Wilson rejoins the USWNT at the perfect time, as she has ties to all three locations where the team will face Japan. San Jose is down the road from her college town, and Seattle is in the Pacific Northwest where she competes with the Thorns. The team will close camp in her home state of Colorado, where Wilson said it would be a “dream come true” to play in front of her daughter.

While 17 months may feel like a long time, Wilson said she feels everything is aligning how it should.

“I think I've taken this journey the right way,” she said. “I've taken my time and gone about it how I need to go about it, and I feel like I'm in a really great place.”