Smith can play for Portland on Saturday after the extra penalty for a red card was overturned

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The National Women’s Soccer League’s Players Association intervened when the Portland Thorns’ appeal of a red card to Sophia Smith was not only rejected two weeks ago, but an additional suspension and fine were added.

As a result, Smith – the league’s leading scorer – will play on Sunday when the Thorns host the undefeated Kansas City Current.

Smith, who also plays on the U.S. national team, earned a second yellow card in the final moments of the Thorns’ 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage.

The ball landed on the sideline and Smith was carded, apparently for wasting time when she was found to be moving the ball under the bench. A second yellow card in a match results in a red card and means the player is suspended for the next match.

The Thorns appealed and an independent review panel denied it, adding a second suspension for Smith and doubling her fine, the league announced Tuesday.

Because the panel decided the appeal was “frivolous,” it ruled under league rules that Portland cannot file another appeal until the end of the 2025 season and must forfeit a $10,000 bond.

The NWSLPA intervened and appealed the sentence imposed on Smith. An NWSL review committee upheld the appeal and rescinded the additional suspension and fine for Smith.

Smith served the automatic suspension last weekend against the Seattle Reign, a 0-0 draw.

However, the league said that “Portland’s loss of its $10,000 bond and right to appeal for the 2024 and 2025 seasons remain.”

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The Associated Press