Sophia Smith named to NWSL's Best XI

The NWSL just announced their best XI and second XI. Soph Smith is the only Portland Thorn on either list.

Photo Taken By STF’s Kelsey Baker

Superstar

At this point, her list of accolades is longer than a Target receipt.

Portland Thorns star Soph Smith has done it again, she’s been named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI for the third consecutive season.

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In 2024, even with injuries and the team’s struggles on the pitch, she continued to put up MVP caliber numbers. Smith tallied 12 goals and a career high six assists this season. She is up for Most Valuable Player once again.

What’s a year without Soph making history? Impossible. During the team’s six match win streak earlier this season, she set a league record for most goal contributions within a five game period (six goals and five assists).

She is widely recognized as one of the best footballers in the world and also recently finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or.

Each ballot submitted combined midfielders and forwards which devalues certain positions like defensive midfielder. If they were separated names like Taylor Flint and Sam Coffey would very likely be included on one of the lists.

Both Smith and Coffey will be free agents after the 2025 season. They will be a priority to keep on long-term extensions for the new gm.

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Huge Offseason Ahead

This is one of the most important offseasons in Portland Thorns history. They will be hiring a general manager shortly who will have to decide on whether or not to retain current head coach, Rob Gale.

Seeing only one Portland Thorn named to the list compared to multiple selections for the top four teams says it all. There is a gap between the best teams and the Thorns this year.

After seeing the NWSL semifinals, the top four are a class above the rest of the league. Portland just finished the season tied for their worst ever finish in club history. For a club that wants to be the best in the world, that’s simply not good enough.