“All great things take time,” and for Sophia Smith, time is crucial as she embarks on her next chapter. The 2022 U.S. Female Soccer Player of the Year, who captivated fans with three goals during the U.S. Olympic gold-medal journey, is now focusing on something beyond the pitch: family.

Michael Wilson, who is engaged to Sophia Smith, plays as a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. He was a standout player at Stanford University, where he received All-Pac-12 honors and demonstrated his versatility and leadership as a team captain. Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Wilson has shone in his rookie season, displaying reliable hands, sharp route-running, and the ability to make big plays.

Smith and her fiance, Michael Wilson, have built a relationship rooted in mutual support for their demanding athletic careers, and it is now evolving into a shared vision for the future. Recently, they took a significant step by welcoming a mini-dachshund into their home. Although Wilson initially preferred a larger dog, the couple found a compromise, showcasing their ability to connect even in the smallest choices.

But the puppy isn’t the only addition they’ve contemplated. For Smith, the idea of becoming a mother is deeply meaningful. “I feel like, aside from soccer, that’s what I feel is my calling, to be a mom,” she said. Recognizing the challenges of pregnancy and the temporary pause it would bring to her career, Smith highlighted the importance of timing, stating, “We’ve been patient for a long time.”

Her thoughts come after a demanding season with both the US national team and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns. While the Thorns’ playoff loss left her feeling frustrated, she welcomed the break, finding comfort in Wilson’s company as she cheered him on with the Arizona Cardinals. Wilson’s achievements on the field reflect Smith’s own ambition, with his efforts helping his team get closer to the postseason.

The couple, planning an intimate wedding at their home, are flexible with their date, currently set for January 25. Wilson humorously noted that a Super Bowl appearance might push back their wedding—a delay they would gladly accept.

With her personal life flourishing and family plans in sight, Smith remains just as determined on the field, where her outstanding performances keep shattering records and setting new standards in women’s soccer.

Sophia Smith breaking records in the NWSL

“Excellence isn‘t an act; it‘s a habit.” Such a feeling resonates profoundly in the thoughts of Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith as she sets off toward further cementing her legacy within the NWSL. 

In 20 games, Smith scored 12 goals, which positioned her third in the league and had six assists, and the third-most assists in the NWSL. Her total of 18 goal contributions was crucial to the Thorns’, but this season they did not perform well, finishing in 6th position with a 10-4-12 record. Shifting from league play to individual accolades, Smith was also named to the NWSL First Team Best XI, presented by Amazon Prime, for the third consecutive year.

During the Thorns’ six-game winning streak, she recorded six goals and five assists across five matches—a remarkable achievement in such a brief period. Her consistency reached historic levels when she became the youngest player in NWSL history to reach 50 goal contributions at just 23 years and 254 days.

Smith’s season was highlighted by stunning performances, including her two-goal, one-assist display in a win over Bay FC and her dominant outing with three assists and a goal in a decisive victory against Seattle Reign. For Smith, 2024 represents another chapter in her already illustrious career. As her name continues to surface in MVP discussions, one thing is certain: Sophia Smith is shaping the future of women’s soccer.