In the Portland Thorns' 2-1 victory against Angel City FC on Sunday, U.S. women's national team star Sophia Wilson returned to the scoresheet for the first time in 540 days.
Receiving a ball from Mimi Alidou, Wilson struck a powerful shot past Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
After scoring, it was an emotional and joyous celebration for Wilson, who was seen wiping tears from her face as her teammates swarmed to celebrate the momentous occasion.
"It was definitely a long time coming, I think," Wilson said in a post-match interview.
"I tried not to put too much pressure on myself, just coming back and playing at this level, but I really needed a goal [to be] completely honest.
"I think once I get one, hopefully more will come, but I'm really proud of our team."
SOPHIA WILSON WITH HER FIRST GOAL BACK SINCE MATERNITY LEAVE 🔥Look at what it meant to her after finding the back of the net ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LYeJSNz6R8
Wilson did not play at all in 2025 as she was on maternity leave, giving birth to daughter Gianna in September.
Wilson's strike on Sunday was her first NWSL goal since Nov. 1, 2024.
Currently, the Thorns are second in the league standings, accumulating 13 points across six matches.
During the April international window, Wilson returned to the USWNT for the first time in nearly two years, featuring in all three friendly matches against Japan.
April 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.April 25: Boston Legacy FC's Josefine Hasbo (5) defends against Chicago Stars FC's Jordyn Huitema during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars won the game, 2-0.April 24: Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a corner kick allowing the Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman to score a goal during the first half at Audi Field. The Washington Spirit won the game, 4-0.April 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball against Bay FC during the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit won the game, 2-0.March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC's Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.
March 25: The Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
March 21: The North Carolina Courage's Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC's Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.
1 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonApril 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.1 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonApril 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.2 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonApril 25: Boston Legacy FC's Josefine Hasbo (5) defends against Chicago Stars FC's Jordyn Huitema during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars won the game, 2-0.3 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonApril 24: Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a corner kick allowing the Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman to score a goal during the first half at Audi Field. The Washington Spirit won the game, 4-0.4 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonApril 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball against Bay FC during the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit won the game, 2-0.5 / 14NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 seasonMarch 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC's Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.
March 25: The Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
March 21: The North Carolina Courage's Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC's Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sophia Wilson: Portland Thorns and USWNT star scores first goal since maternity leave