Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson exercised her player option to return for the 2026 season on Wednesday.
ESPN and Sportico reported that her option year is worth $1 million, giving her the first seven-figure contract in NWSL history.
Wilson, 25, joined Portland as the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft. In 2022, she led the Thorns to the NWSL championship and was named league MVP. She made the league’s Best XI in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The former Sophia Smith is married to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson. She missed the entire 2025 NWSL season on maternity leave and gave birth to their first child, daughter Gianna, in September.
“Coming back to Portland is so special to me because Portland is where I started my professional career and where I’ve grown up in a lot of ways,” Wilson said in a news release. “I’m excited for the city. I love living here. I love the people here. I’m excited to get back with everyone and play in Providence Park and to play in front of the Riveters. There’s no place like it.”
Wilson has collected 50 goals and 15 assists in 97 matches (82 starts) across all competitions with the Thorns.
“We are thrilled to have a world-class player like Sophia continue to call Portland her home,” team president and general manager of soccer operations Jeff Agoos said. “Sophia is an exceptional global star that can change the game in an instant. She will strengthen our roster’s attack and her return makes our front line one (of) the most formidable in the NWSL.”
Wilson won a gold medal with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and scored two goals at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2022.
–Field Level Media
