Resilience on the Field: How Sam Coffey and Savy King Redefine Leadership in the NWSL

What happens when pain becomes power, and the field becomes a stage for courage?

The NWSL’s Team of the Week this week isn’t just a list of standout players—it’s a testament to something deeper: resilience, the kind that is forged in the fires of adversity. Sam Coffey, Portland Thorns’ midfield maestro, is not only dominating the game but redefining leadership, while Savy King, named honorary captain after heart surgery, is demonstrating a new kind of strength. What does it mean when the brightest stars aren’t just playing the game—they’re changing the conversation around what it means to lead, to overcome, and to inspire?

In sports, we’re often fixated on the scores, the statistics, and the highlight reels, but in moments like these, something else emerges. It’s not just about who scores or who wins—it’s about what drives these athletes beyond the field, what fuels them in the quiet moments when no one is watching. Coffey’s drive and King’s journey illuminate an entire new layer to the women’s game—one where human grit and leadership shine brighter than any trophy.

The Unexpected Captain

For those who know the game well, leadership comes in many forms. On the field, it’s not always the one with the armband who commands the most respect. Savy King’s path to becoming the Portland Thorns’ honorary captain is a story that reaches beyond the confines of the sport. After undergoing life-altering heart surgery, King wasn’t just recovering physically—she was rewriting what it means to be a leader, not only by what she says, but by how she lives. Her return to the pitch, now in a new, symbolic role, speaks to an energy that transcends the traditional definitions of leadership. She’s not just guiding from the front; she’s inspiring from within.

“Leadership isn’t always about being in the spotlight,” King once remarked. “Sometimes, it’s about leading by example, through your heart, your actions, and your resilience.” And in this light, King isn’t just an honorary captain; she’s a beacon for all those who follow her. Her recovery is a metaphor for the ongoing battle many face off the field, reminding us that true strength is often forged in the moments when it seems like all is lost.

Coffey’s Quiet Mastery

While Savy King is redefining leadership off the pitch, Sam Coffey is doing it on it. The Portland Thorns’ playmaker has long been known for her precise control of the midfield, but this season, she has turned into something more—a voice of calm and determination in the most chaotic moments of a game. Her presence has become synonymous with poise, strength, and a strategic mind that consistently delivers under pressure.

But here’s the catch: Coffey doesn’t demand attention—she earns it. While the world may not always notice the quiet work that leads to victory, those who understand the game know the truth. The Thorns aren’t just relying on star power; they’re relying on leadership that goes beyond the stats. Coffey’s ability to read the field, her unshakable focus, and her willingness to make the tough pass make her the quiet engine driving this team forward.

The world of women’s soccer is often painted in broad strokes, but the stories of Sam Coffey and Savy King offer something different. These are narratives of resilience, leadership, and quiet revolution. And perhaps, just perhaps, these are the kinds of stories that will shift the trajectory of the sport forever. What happens when leadership isn’t about screaming from the sidelines but about showing up and being there, even when it’s hard? In the case of Coffey and King, it might be more than just about soccer—it might be about changing the game.

The question lingers—what does the future of women’s soccer look like when its leaders are defined by the strength of their character, not just their performance on the field?