Portland Thorns were without their standout forward, Sophia Smith, during Monday night’s 2-2 draw against Angel City in Los Angeles.
Smith was sidelined after re-aggravating an ankle injury sustained during last week’s CONCACAF W Champions Cup against San Diego. While Portland managed a hard-fought clash in LA, Smith’s absence could prove costly for the Thorns as they fight to secure a playoff spot. They remain seventh in the NWSL rankings, barely making that post-season cut off.
Smith’s potential long-term absence could derail Portland’s playoff ambitions, with just five games left in the regular season. Assistant coach Sarah Lowdon remains hopeful that Smith will return soon, but emphasized in an interview with reporters the importance of getting her fully healthy first.
Since entering the league in 2020, Smith’s rise has been legendary. With her rookie season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, she netted just two goals. That quickly ramped up to seven in 2021. And, last year, she exploded onto the scene, winning the NWSL MVP award with 14 goals in just 18 games. With 11 goals already this season and still a few matches to go, Smith continues to elevate her game year after year, proving herself as one of the league’s most dominant forwards.
The clock is ticking for Smith’s recovery. With the Thorns desperate to lock in a postseason spot, her health will be a deciding factor in how deep they can go. Smith’s rehab will prioritize getting her back to full strength for a strong finish to the season. As Portland enters their final stretch of games, everyone will await her return – potentially in time to fuel an epic playoff run.