Sophia Smith is expected to start when the Portland Thorns host the Kansas City Current on Sunday. She’ll likely be on the field following high drama off the field.
The Thorns’ star forward was suspended and missed the team’s 0-0 draw against the Seattle Reign FC on June 16 after receiving a red card late in the game against North Carolina Courage on June 8. Smith was assessed a second yellow card and automatic red card after she seemingly hid the ball under the bench and was deemed to be trying to waste time by referee Danielle Chesky.
Smith probably thought Chesky’s decision was harsh. The Thorns definitely thought the decision was harsh and appealed the red card.
This is where things got weird.
The appeal was reviewed by the Independent Review Panel (IRP) and the panel apparently wasn’t happy the appeal even reached their desk.
The panel unanimously denied the appeal and deemed it “frivolous.” Because the Thorns forced the panel to review what they determined was an unnecessary appeal, the panel decided to punish Smith by doubling her suspension to two games and increased the fine associated with the red card. The panel also punished the Thorns by taking away the club’s right to appeal any other decisions for the remainder of the current season and the 2025 season.
Ouch.
The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association appealed the IRP’s decision to the NWSL’s Review Committee. The Review Committee unanimously upheld the Player’s Association appeal, rescinding the additional one-game suspension and increased fine. However, the Review Committee let stand the Thorns’ loss of its bond and the inability to appeal any other decisions for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Smith, the league’s leading goal-scorer with nine goals, has already served the one-game suspension, so she should be good to go when the Thorns take on the Current on Sunday.
Unless there’s another appeal.