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Sophia Wilson Returns, Moultrie Starts: Two Thorns at the USWNT

Published April 18, 2026. The USWNT closed a three-match series against Japan 2-1 on April 17. During the FIFA window, Sophia Wilson made her first national team appearance in 17 months. Olivia Moultrie started in front of 36,128 fans at Lumen Field.

Seventeen months. That's how long Sophia Wilson had been away from the U.S. Women's National Team when Emma Hayes wrote her name into the starting XI at PayPal Park on April 11. She played 67 minutes. She didn't score. The U.S. beat Japan 2-1. She is back.

Three days later, at Lumen Field in front of 36,128 fans, Olivia Moultrie got the second Portland moment of the series. She started in midfield. She came off in the 65th minute, replaced by Wilson for her second appearance. Two Thorns on the pitch for a single handoff, on the night of the series' biggest crowd.

The Return in San Jose

Wilson was in the USWNT starting XI on April 11. She hadn't appeared for the national team since October 2024, before her daughter was born in early September 2025. Hayes said in the lead-up that Wilson would play "a limited role" in her first camp back. Ally Sentnor replaced her in the 67th minute.

Rose Lavelle scored in the 9th minute, Trinity Rodman assisting. Lindsey Heaps added another in the 48th minute, Lavelle with the assist. Riko Ueki pulled one back for Japan in the 61st. Final: USA 2, Japan 1. Attendance at PayPal Park: 17,435.

The headline was obvious. "That's the first time Soph's had to play in a game at that level since the Olympic gold medal final," Hayes said afterward. "So I'm proud of her for that."

Seattle: 36,128 and a Handoff

Lumen Field drew 36,128 for a U.S. friendly, more than double the San Jose number. Moultrie started in midfield alongside Claire Hutton (wearing the armband) and Lily Yohannes. She got 65 minutes in front of the biggest crowd of the series.

The U.S. lost 1-0. At the 65th minute, Hayes went to the bench. Wilson came on for Moultrie. Two Portland Thorns crossing on the Lumen sideline. Moultrie off, Wilson on. You don't script this.

Colorado Closes It

Three days later at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, the U.S. closed the series with a 3-0 win. Naomi Girma scored in the 47th. Lavelle added a second in the 56th. Kennedy Wesley sealed it in the 64th. Wilson started again, earning her 61st cap and 42nd career USWNT start.

Two wins, one loss. Series to the U.S. Two Thorns came out of it with minutes.

What It Means for Portland

For Wilson, this extends the arc the site has been tracking since she came off the bench at Washington in March. Stoppage-time cameo. Halftime on at San Diego. Started Cherry Blossom Day against Kansas City. A full 90 at North Carolina. And now a USWNT start in San Jose, a Seattle cameo, and another start in Colorado. Two months ago, people were wondering if she'd play at all this season. Now she's back in the USWNT attack.

For Moultrie, Lumen was a reward for the 2026 NWSL season she has put together. Three goals in five matches, including the penalty at Cherry Blossom Day. Hayes has been rotating midfielders. A Lumen start in front of 36,128 people is a data point that counts.

Both players came back to Portland and got the result. Nine days after Colorado, the Thorns flew to Los Angeles and beat Angel City 2-1 at BMO Stadium on April 26. Wilson scored her first goal back from maternity leave at 90+5'. Pietra Tordin had broken the deadlock at 76' off a Carolyn Calzada debut cross. Three days later at Providence Park, Wilson scored again, this time her first home goal in 18 months, in a 2-0 win over previously-unbeaten San Diego on April 29. Marie Müller opened the scoring at 10' for her first NWSL goal. Portland sits first in the NWSL at 5-1-1 with 16 points and three clean sheets in seven matches. The break was meant to rest tired legs. Wilson and Moultrie used it to add more miles. Portland kept winning.