WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Women's Soccer League kicked off its 2026 season with a highly anticipated matchup Friday night at Audi Field, where the Portland Thorns secured a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit, thanks to a second-half goal from emerging talent Olivia Moultrie. The game marked the return of two of the league's biggest stars: Trinity Rodman, who played the full 90 minutes for the Spirit after signing a record-breaking contract extension, and Sophia Wilson, who came on as a substitute for the Thorns in the 77th minute following an extended maternity leave.
The opener drew a sellout crowd of more than 19,000 fans under the lights, highlighting the NWSL's growing appeal as it expands to 16 teams this year. Rodman, a 23-year-old U.S. women's national team standout, had been absent from the Spirit's roster amid offseason contract negotiations that nearly saw her depart for Europe. Instead, she inked a new deal in late January worth over $2 million annually, including bonuses, making her the highest-paid player in women's soccer history.
Wilson's return was equally poignant. The 2022 NWSL MVP, known for her dynamic dribbling and finishing, had not played for the Thorns in 488 days, her last appearance coming before she gave birth in September. Her substitution late in the game against her former rivals underscored the league's progress in supporting players through motherhood, bolstered by protections in the collective bargaining agreement.
Moultrie, Portland's 20-year-old attacking midfielder, stole the spotlight with the game's lone goal in the second half, delivering a surprising win for the visitors who possessed the ball less than 38% of the time. Neither team managed a shot on target in the first half, a sign of opening-day rust, but Moultrie's strike proved decisive. The young phenom, who first appeared for the Thorns at age 15, scored a team-high eight goals last season to help Portland finish third in her breakout year.
After the match, Rodman praised Wilson's comeback. "It's amazing," she said. "Having Soph on the field, even if it's playing against us, I think is great for the league obviously, but for her as an individual. To be that young, having a baby and then coming back so quickly, in my opinion, and still looking like Soph out there -- having so much body control and positioning... I'm so proud of her for doing it."
The returns of Rodman and Wilson are part of a broader narrative for the NWSL, which is aiming for another record-breaking year in attendance, viewership, and sponsorships. Commissioner Jessica Berman, speaking earlier this week, emphasized the league's strategy to embed itself in the wider sports and cultural conversation. The league hopes to leverage its stars—both established global names like Rodman and Wilson, and rising talents like Moultrie—to drive growth.
Rodman's path back to the Spirit was fraught with uncertainty. Her previous contract expired after the 2025 season, during which she played only a few minutes in the NWSL semifinal at Audi Field against the Thorns due to injury. That game, held almost exactly four months before Friday's opener, left fans wondering if it might be her last in a Spirit jersey, as European clubs offered salaries exceeding the NWSL's salary cap, which increased slightly to $3.7 million this year.
The saga involved contract vetoes by Berman, a grievance filed by the NWSL Players Association, the introduction of a new "High Impact Player" rule allowing stars to earn above the cap—colloquially dubbed "The Rodman Rule"—and a second union grievance. Ultimately, the resolution kept Rodman in Washington, a move Berman and league executives viewed as crucial to retaining the face of the NWSL, especially since the player expressed a desire to stay.
Wilson's story complements Rodman's, forming part of the famed "Triple Espresso" trio alongside Mallory Swanson, who is expected to return to the Chicago Stars after her own maternity leave. These comebacks highlight the league's family-friendly policies, enabling players to pause careers without jeopardizing job security. As Rodman noted, such returns elevate the individual and the sport alike.
For the Thorns, Friday's win came under new head coach Robert Vilahamn, who joined the team less than 48 hours before the game after stints at Tottenham Hotspur. Vilahamn lauded his squad's resilience, particularly Moultrie and Wilson. "Moultrie has the potential to be the best player in the world," he said, adding that Wilson "is already one of the best."
Moultrie, now a regular call-up for the U.S. national team, downplayed the hype surrounding her performance in a game overshadowed by the star returns. "My goals as a player are very big, and I want to be performing at the highest level," she said. "I want to be helping my team win games, competing for championships. I want to be competing with the national team and growing my role there. I'm happy, but at the same time, this is who I want to be, so it's not a surprise to me."
The Spirit, meanwhile, face heightened expectations after two consecutive runner-up finishes. They largely retained their roster but lost key midfielder Croix Bethune in the offseason and added defender Lucia Di Guglielmo, who impressed with a strong debut performance Friday. Rodman was contained by Portland's compact defense, but her mere presence signals stability for a team chasing its first title.
League executives in New York see matchups like this as vital for expanding beyond core fans. The NWSL is targeting "vibe shifters"—a term for younger social media audiences who might discover the league through players' off-field lives, such as Rodman's relationship with tennis star Ben Shelton. Friday's national broadcast showcased the entertainment value of stars like Rodman and Wilson, who are described as "human highlight reels" for their flair on the ball.
Yet the league recognizes the need for depth amid recent departures of U.S. internationals like Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, and Sam Coffey to England's Women's Super League over the past 15 months. Players like Moultrie, along with Washington's Hal Hershfelt and Rosemonde Kouassi, represent the next wave of stardom essential for sustained growth. Portland, too, must navigate questions after losing Coffey to Manchester City and integrating Vilahamn's tactics.
As the NWSL embarks on its 13th regular season with 30 matches ahead for each team, Friday's opener served as a promising start. The star-studded returns and competitive play underscore the league's push toward major-league status, blending entertainment with athletic excellence. For Rodman, Wilson, and their peers, the focus now shifts to building on this momentum throughout a marathon campaign.