Sophie Hirst Bio
Sophie Hirst is an American former professional soccer player who competed as a midfielder in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Born in Seattle, Washington, she is best known for her time with the Harvard Crimson in college and for her professional career with the Houston Dash and Portland Thorns FC. Selected 20th overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, she wrapped up her playing career in 2025 to pursue a medical degree at Columbia University.
Early Life and Background
Sophie Hirst was born on February 25, 2000, in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended Seattle Preparatory School, where she joined the girls’ soccer program and developed her early game as a forward. During her time at Seattle Prep, she helped lead the team to a 2015 state championship and was named the MVP of the tournament.
Outside of high school, Hirst played her club soccer for Crossfire Premier SC, one of the strongest youth development clubs in the Seattle area. With Crossfire Premier, she helped the program reach two consecutive top-three finishes at the ECNL National Finals, building the competitive foundation that would later carry her into the college ranks.
Path to Professional Soccer
Hirst’s pathway to the professional game ran through one of the most academically demanding programs in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. She joined the Harvard Crimson women’s soccer team in 2018 and developed into a central midfielder over five seasons, balancing rigorous academics with consistent on-field production.
On the international youth stage, she earned call-ups to the United States under-16 national team in 2015 and 2016, adding another layer of validation to her development. By the time she finished her Harvard career with 60 appearances and 10 goals, she had positioned herself as a polished, two-way midfielder ready for the professional ranks.
Sophie Hirst Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Hirst made her collegiate debut on August 30, 2018, scoring her first goal to help Harvard beat Syracuse. In her freshman season, she appeared in 11 matches, started all but one, and contributed 3 goals and 3 assists while adjusting to the pace of the Ivy League.
As a sophomore, she produced 5 goals and 5 assists and was named Second Team All-Ivy. After the 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned in 2021 and was elected team co-captain alongside Jillian Wachira. In her fifth year, she started all but one of 17 matches and earned All-Ivy First Team honors for the second consecutive season.
Houston Dash Era (2023–2024)
On January 12, 2023, Hirst was selected in the second round of the 2023 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash as the 20th overall pick. She became only the second Harvard Crimson women’s player ever drafted into the NWSL, trailing only Midge Purce in 2017. She signed her first professional contract on March 25, 2023, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Dash.
Hirst made her professional debut on May 12, 2023, starting against Portland Thorns FC and producing a key defensive block. Three games later, on June 3, 2023, she scored her first professional goal, finishing a spilled corner kick in the 6th minute to open a 2–0 win over the Orlando Pride. She finished her rookie campaign with 12 regular-season appearances and 2 NWSL Challenge Cup matches.
After her rookie year, the Dash exercised her contract option, and she returned in 2024, appearing in 7 matches with 3 starts before being traded. Her time in Houston cemented her reputation as a reliable rotational midfielder with a knack for timely contributions.
Portland Thorns Era (2024–2025)
On September 2, 2024, the Houston Dash traded Hirst to Portland Thorns FC in exchange for a conditional $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds and $25,000 in allocation money. Two days later, she made her club debut for the Thorns in a CONCACAF W Champions Cup victory over Club América.
After her first season with Portland, Hirst signed a contract extension running through 2026, signaling the club’s long-term commitment. However, on July 30, 2025, she announced her retirement from professional soccer in order to pursue a medical degree at Columbia University. By the time she stepped away, she had made 23 appearances across her NWSL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Hirst’s craft has been defined by her comfort as a two-way central midfielder. She is comfortable operating in tight spaces in front of the back line, supporting build-up play, and arriving late into the box. Her composure in set-piece moments, including her first professional goal off a corner kick, has highlighted her anticipation and finishing instincts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hirst’s signature moments are her 2015 Washington state championship MVP at Seattle Prep, her Ivy League development at Harvard, and her 20th overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Her first professional goal against the Orlando Pride in June 2023 and her CONCACAF W Champions Cup debut for Portland Thorns FC round out the headline moments of her career.
Sophie Hirst Career Highlights
Across her time at Harvard and in the NWSL, Sophie Hirst compiled a résumé that bridged elite academics and top-flight professional soccer. Her most memorable achievements sit at the intersection of college development and the early stages of her NWSL journey.
NWSL Highlights
In the NWSL, Hirst appeared in 23 total matches across the Houston Dash and Portland Thorns FC. Her first professional goal came on June 3, 2023, against the Orlando Pride, and her club debut for Portland came in a CONCACAF W Champions Cup victory over Club América in September 2024. Her contract extension with the Thorns through 2026 stood as a marker of the club’s belief in her trajectory before her retirement.
Other Performances
At the college level, Hirst registered 60 appearances and 10 goals for the Harvard Crimson and earned All-Ivy First Team honors in her final two seasons. At the youth international level, she represented the United States at the under-16 level in 2015 and 2016, capping a steady climb through American soccer’s development pathway.
Sophie Hirst Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Sophie Hirst grew up in Seattle, Washington, where she developed her love for the game through Seattle Prep and the Crossfire Premier SC club system. Her formative years in the Pacific Northwest shaped her competitive identity before she moved east to attend Harvard.
Personal Life
After retiring from professional soccer in July 2025, Hirst announced that she would pursue a medical degree at Columbia University, continuing a tradition of academic excellence that defined her time at Harvard, where she studied neuroscience. Public information about her immediate family and relationships has not been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Hirst’s 2025 campaign with the Portland Thorns began with the momentum of her prior-year contract extension, signaling her place in the club’s plans. Her preseason role pointed toward continued involvement in central midfield, with the Thorns relying on her two-way profile to support both defensive structure and attacking transitions.
Midway through the season, however, Hirst made the decision to step away from the professional game. On July 30, 2025, she announced her retirement to pursue a medical degree at Columbia University, closing the chapter on her playing career after 23 total NWSL appearances. Her departure was framed by the club and by Hirst herself as a transition into a new field rather than a retreat from the sport.
Looking back, her 2025 season served as a bridge between her Houston Dash development and her long-term goals outside of soccer. While her on-field minutes were limited by the timing of her announcement, her professionalism and academic ambition left a clear mark on the Thorns locker room.