Portland is struggling to manage attacks without their star forward, Sophia Smith. Smith got an ankle injury during last week’s Concacaf W Champions Cup defeat to the San Diego Wave. The USWNT ace scored the first goal but had to depart at halftime in an eventual 3-2 loss.

Because of the injury, the 24-year-old missed the important match with Angel City. It’s a serious blow to the team’s playoff push. The Thorns managed a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles on Monday night, as Claire Emslie scored a 76th-minute equalizer for Angel City to deny them a victory on the plate.

There is a recent update on Smith’s injury, as a team spokesperson has confirmed that Sophia Smith did return to Portland to receive care, and the ankle injury is a flare-up of the same injury Smith suffered post-2023 World Cup.

It’s incredible to see Smith’s rise in performance since entering the league in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic ended her debut season quite early, and she only scored two goals. That increased rapidly to seven in 2021. She also had a huge impact on the NWSL last year, taking home the MVP title after scoring 14 goals in just 18 games. With 11 goals already this season, Smith has established herself as one of the most dominant forwards in the current league.

Smith’s long-term absence could potentially affect Portland’s playoff ambitions, with just five games left in the regular season. Fans are eager to see her on the field, as she also holds the influence to sell most jerseys in the NWSL.

Sophia Smith has the best-selling jersey in the NWSL!

According to NWSL data through Week 20 of the regular season, the star forward’s jersey for the Portland Thorns is the most popular in terms of sales. With a reported yearly salary of $500,000, Smith is the highest-paid player in the league. She signed a multi-year contract, which will keep her wearing a Thorns uniform through the 2025 season. The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NWSL draft reportedly earns another $1.2 million off the field, mainly through endorsement deals.

In terms of jersey sales, Alex Morgan—the former forward with the San Diego Wave who retired earlier in September—is in second place. In the top five, Smith’s followers are Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, and Mallory Swanson from Chicago.

However, Smith’s health will impact how far the Thorns can go in their attempt to secure a playoff spot. Everyone will be waiting for her return as Portland moves into their last stretch of games—possibly in time to spark an incredible playoff run.