The Portland Thorns signed forward Sophia Smith to a new contract with the club through the 2025 ... [+]
The Portland Thorns signed forward Sophia Smith to a new contract with the club through the 2025 season with an option for an extension until 2026. Additionally, the deal for the 23-year-old also makes Smith the highest paid player annually, according to ESPN.
“It’s definitely been a lot of emotions and a lot of things to think about, but I feel at peace,” said Smith. “I feel like I’m in a good place and that I made the best decision for me. I do believe that the NWSL is, if not, one of the best leagues in the world. I think it doesn’t get enough credit for how hard it is to play in this league. I just feel like people here believe in me and the fans are so passionate about this team and I don’t think there’s really any place like that and I’m just not ready to leave that.”
Smith’s History With The Thorns
Smith has spent her entire NWSL season with the Thorns as she was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft.
As a creative player and a goal-scoring threat to her opponents, Smith has won a total of five trophies with Portland at the 2022 NWSL Championship, the 2021 NWSL Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2022 Community Shield and the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup.
In her young career, Smith is the only player in Portland Thorns’ history to be named both the NWSL MVP and win the NWSL Golden Boot. Smith was named the NWSL MVP in 2022 and became the youngest recipient at 22-years-old. Smith earned the 2023 NWSL Golden Boot as she scored 11 goals in 17 games.
Sophia Smith of the Portland Thorns FC was named the NWSL MVP in 2022 and became the youngest ... [+]
Additionally, Smith and Seattle Reign FC midfielder Ji So-Yun are the only two players in the league to record at least seven shots and one goal within the first two weeks of the 2024 NWSL season.
“Soph is a special player who has accomplished so much in a Thorns kit and made our city and club proud. We’re thrilled that she’s reaffirmed Portland to be her home and trusts the organization as it moves forward,” said Portland Thorns General Manager Karina Leblanc. “The Bhathal family have been incredibly supportive from the beginning and with signings like this, they are demonstrating their commitment to build a championship winning club.”
Record Breaking NWSL Deals
Ahead of the 2024 NWSL season officially starting, there were several records broken as a variety of teams made waves in historic player deals.
The trickle of deals started with the Houston Dash signing Maria Sánchez at $1.5 million for a three-year contract with an option to extend another year. Additionally, the Chicago Red Stars followed suit as Mallory Swanson signed a four-year contract estimated at $2 million.
However, the deals across the league only continued to flow as Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji signed with Bay FC and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda signed multi-year deals estimated between $2-$2.5 million.
Although Smith has endless options of playing professionally within the NWSL and overseas in Europe, the new ownership group of the Bhathal family purchasing the Thorns for $63 million in January provided more stability for Smith as the forward added she added, “I have just been waiting for some stability and some reassurance that this club is headed in the right direction, and the Bhathal family coming in is doing exactly that, if not more.”
A Key Force In The Women’s Game
As a key player for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Smith participated in her first World Cup during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer where she scored two goals in the opening game against Vietnam.
Sophia Smith scores a brace during the opening game at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup against ... [+]
In front of 19,857 fans at Providence Park this past weekend, Smith went on to score two goals against Gotham FC, however, due to offside, the goals were revoked as the visiting side went on to win 1-0.
Since her U.S. Women’s National Team debut in 2020, Smith has scored 16 goals within 44 appearances. Her potential for both club and country displays a wealth of talent that is a force to be reckoned with as the 2024 Paris Olympics are just in sight.
The Portland Thorns will host Racing Louisville FC on Saturday, March 30 at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET.
