This Mother's Day, the National Women's Soccer League is doing more than just handing out flowers—it's celebrating a growing community of athlete-moms who are redefining what it means to balance elite competition with family life. From newborns to preschoolers, the sidelines are getting a little more crowded, and the stories behind these players are as inspiring as their goals.
Take U.S. women's national team stars Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson, for example. Both welcomed new additions to their families in 2025, and they've been navigating the delicate dance of maternity leave while staying sharp for club and country. Wilson recently returned to her first USWNT camp in over a year and is now logging regular minutes with the Portland Thorns. Swanson, meanwhile, just marked a major milestone with Chicago Stars FC—her return to full-contact training this month. These aren't just comebacks; they're powerful statements about resilience and support systems in professional sports.
Angel City FC is another club leading the charge, with moms scattered across both the roster and staff. One of the standout stories is forward Claire Emslie, a Scotland international who's working her way back into action. Whether she's starting, coming off the bench, or still finding her rhythm post-maternity leave, Emslie embodies the "doing it all" spirit that defines so many NWSL moms.
"It's funny, I feel like we had Scotland's, like the UK's Mother's Day, a while ago, and the club kind of celebrated that for me, which was nice. It didn't really feel real—I still catch myself like, 'oh, man, I'm actually a mum.' This is crazy. But me and my husband are just so happy with him. It's kind of a nice thing to reflect on and be like, this is my first year as a mum, and I'm so excited I get to be a mom the rest of my life," Emslie shared with CBS Sports Attacking Third.
Emslie and her husband welcomed baby boy Jamie in December, and she was recently moved to Angel City's active roster for the first time this season after being listed on maternity leave. During the early stages of her pregnancy, she actively sought out advice from other pro athlete moms, learning how they managed training while expecting. The support she received from Angel City's trainers and medical staff was crucial, but what really stood out was the broader women's pro sports community—staff from other clubs even reached out to offer guidance, reminding her just how special and unique this sisterhood is.
This Mother's Day, as the NWSL celebrates moms from preschoolers to preteens, it's clear that these athletes aren't just balancing motherhood and soccer—they're proving that you can have both, and you can excel at both. For fans and fellow moms alike, that's a victory worth cheering for.