USWNT star Sophia Wilson shown red card for hair pull in NWSL match

Sophia Wilson will head to U.S. women's national team camp on the back of a red card with the Portland Thorns.

Wilson was sent off in the first half of a 4-2 defeat to the Boston Legacy on Saturday, Oct. 3. The forward was caught tugging the hair of Boston’s Laís Araújo in the 22nd minute.

Referee Calin Radosav did not hesitate, immediately showing Wilson a straight red in a match that was scoreless at the time.

Boosted by their player advantage, the Legacy would go on to secure a two-goal win at Providence Park in a result that damages Portland's hopes of hosting a NWSL playoff match.

Wilson will now be suspended for at least Portland's next match, coming against Bay FC on Oct. 18. She could also be assessed an extra game, pending review by the NWSL disciplinary committee.

“I spoke to (Wilson) and I think their player was pulling her shirt and then she tried to pull back and obviously reached her hair,” Thorns coach Robert Vilahamn said after the game.

“The rule is tough but that’s the rule. All credit for them, they got Sophia out of the moment in that situation and she apologized afterwards and takes accountability and she’ll learn from this.”

For Wilson, the red marks the second of her career. Her first red also came in somewhat strange fashion, as she was found guilty of time-wasting in a 2024 incident that saw her hide the ball when she was on the bench.

Wilson will now report to USWNT camp, having been called up for two upcoming friendlies against world champion Spain.

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