The names of Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath are etched in the soccer collective. Those are just a few names from the National Team. The wealth and history of the forward position for the United States is long and epic.
But epic does not translate into the future, and if they wish to return to the top at the World Cup next season, they will need to look towards the future.
After two friendlies against Brazil, Sophia Wilson seems to be a huge part of that future. The forward provided both goals in both matches for the United States. One main of have been an own goal, but it was off a Wilson missile to the back of the net.
The second match saw the United States win 1-0. It was Wilson who was both strong and strategic during the game and led to frusteration on the end for Brazil.
She returned from maternity leave earlier this year and does not appear to have missed a step since the Gold Medal performances in the Olympics two years ago. The team will need her to be even more prolific and strategic during the World Cup in a year.
Sophia Wilson should take center stage at the World Cup in 2027
She, along with Trinity Rodman and Malloary Swanson, will be the leaders pressing forward. It is a huge change from 2023.
During the last World Cup, the team had an odd mix of veterans and newcomers to the world stage. It did not mesh well and caused the team to retreat into past mistakes. They did not press the right way and could never gel well.
Now they have players who are pressing the attack and, like Wilson, are hungry for the chance to make their own legacy. Wilson is the right player to stamp out the legacy. Not just at forward, but the roster at large.
These two goals are the first for Wilson on the international stage since she left before the birth of her first child. Now she is back and stronger than ever.
It is the type of performance that can leapfrog her and give her the confidence she may have needed to return to form.
She should return to the Portland Thorns this season and gain more traction before next year's World Cup. Regardless, the name Sophia Wilson could be etched in history if she plays strongly next year.
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