OFFICIAL: Sophia Smith signs extension & becomes highest paid player annually in NWSL
There's no doubt around Soph Smith anymore - she's staying home in the Rose City.
One of the biggest storylines for the Portland Thorns headed into the 2024 season was Sophia Smith’s contract status, and her impending free agency.
But now, that storyline has reached its conclusion. The Portland Thorns announced today that Smith has been signed to a contract extension through 2025, with a player option for 2026.
New owners Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal have made it clear they have massive priorities for the club and sky high ambitions for it. Bringing back the 2022 NWSL MVP, 2022 NWSL Championship Game MVP and 2023 NWSL Golden Boot winner is just a start. The list of Soph Smith’s accolades, that frankly, is longer than a target receipt, was at the top.
“It was incredibly important for us to make a statement as we enter the next era of Thorns soccer — to the city, to our fans, and for our future,” said Thorns controlling owner and Governor Lisa Bhathal Merage. “Soph is a generational talent and we’re excited for the future we’ll build together.”
The Portland Thorns and Lisa Bhathal Merage have made it clear their committment by making Sophia Smith the highest paid player in the league (by annual salary), and deservedly so.
The relationship between Lisa Bhathal Merage and Soph Smith is one bound in mutual respect, common goals, and one with unlimited potential.
LBM and the Portland Thorns have a wonderful relationship. She has made listening the biggest aspect of the season — to hear from the players. Bhathal Merage has made it clear that she wants them to have everything they need to be successful.
“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 is doing exactly that, if not more,” Smith said in an interview with Meg Linehan of The Athletic.
Now, they’ve hit their biggest achievement to date: signing the best player in the NWSL (not really up for debate), through 2025 with a player option for 2026.
“I’m excited to call Portland home and extend my time with the Thorns,” said Sophia Smith. “The support from the fans, city and club have been tremendous and I’m looking forward to being a part of its next chapter. I’m grateful for the support from Karina and the Bhathal family to me and my teammates, as we move forward and work hard to lift more trophies for the Thorns.”
They’ve also announced their intent to create a new state-of-the-art training facility, with final plans to be announced later this season.
The timing of Smith’s contract is quite interesting as it aligns with the construction being completed for the facility, and also guarantees Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal another full season to convince the player of the worth to sign another new deal to stick around in the Rose City even longer.
General Manager Karina LeBlanc just made her biggest move of her Portland Thorns tenure. Now it’s up to her and new ownership to keep Soph here in the longterm as well.
“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.”
For those concerns about her potentially going to Europe in the immediate future, that does not seem to be in Smith’s immediate plans.
“I don’t believe that every player needs to go to Europe to become who they’re supposed to be,” Smith said in the interview with Linehan. “I don’t believe that narrative.”
Soph Smith would have any opportunity after this season, but she wanted to play at a club that put in her in the best spot to be successful. Smith made the decision for herself.
“I thought of all the options,” Smith said. “I’m always thinking of all the options because I always want to put myself in the best position. I do feel like I’m in the prime years of my career, and where I play right now will play a big role in how much I can achieve.”
One reason she is coming back is because the Rose City has the best supporters in the league. The way the city of Portland has supported her since day one is unmatched.
“I just feel like people here believe in me. The fans here are so passionate about this team, and I really just don’t think there’s any place like that… and I’m just not ready to leave that.”
The happiness she feels playing at home is world class and that’s underselling it.
Thanks to the 20,000 of you who pack Providence Park week in and week out, she is staying home.
One thing is for certain, today is a pretty good day for Soccer, City USA.
You can read the club’s full press release here.
It's perfectly acceptable to take a moment to thank MarPar and that other guy, for orchestrating Soph coming into the transfer portal from Stanford on the promise of making her the top draft pick and launching a successful pro career at a relatively tender age.
Knowing nothing about the machinations behind that, will still assert it took a LOT of work and acts of faith on the part of many.
And now, here we are.
Did anyone happen to catch this announcement? Pretty cool. "Building out and leading her staff one can see that draw, as the Thorns now boast one of the largest medical staffs, nearly doubling in size from last year to now."
https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/news/medical-director-stephanie-ludwig-starting-a-new-chapter-with-portland-thorns-fc