Trinity Rodman’s Status Uncertain Ahead of NWSL Quarterfinal

LEESBURG, Va. — Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman has been designated as questionable for the NWSL quarterfinal scheduled for Saturday, as she continues her recovery from a sprained MCL sustained last month.

During the open portion of the Spirit’s training session on Friday, Rodman did not partake in the first 30 minutes, instead working out in the adjacent gym facility. However, she subsequently joined her teammates on the field for the conclusion of practice, as confirmed by a team spokesperson.

The United States women’s national team standout is officially listed as questionable for the quarterfinal match against the seventh-seeded Racing Louisville FC, according to the league’s availability report.

In a press conference earlier in the day, Spirit head coach Adrián González refrained from providing a definitive update on Rodman’s status, stating that her condition, along with others, is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. He indicated that he would confer with the medical staff later on Friday for a clearer prognosis.

“The only thing with Trin is she’s been doing great,” González remarked. “I’m positive about her progress; she’s meeting recovery goals and is in a good mental space. Physically, she’s also showing improvement. She has been fully committed to her recovery, doing everything she can to be in optimal condition. We remain optimistic about her situation.”

Rodman was unavailable for comment after practice. The Spirit enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year. A victory against playoff newcomers Louisville on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., would secure the Spirit a semifinal berth next week against either the Portland Thorns or the San Diego Wave.

“We approach this with a humble mindset,” Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt stated after training on Friday. “We’re eager to compete and are not taking our position for granted. We’re coming in with the attitude of wanting to overcome any challenges we face in the playoffs, regardless of the opponent.”

On Friday, González emphasized the importance of maintaining a compact defensive structure and winning second balls to avoid being caught in transition, a strategy that aligns with Louisville’s playing style.

Washington may need to adapt without Rodman, who has contributed five goals and two assists in just nine matches this season. She sprained her right MCL on October 15 during a 4-0 victory over Monterrey in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, which secured the Spirit’s place in next year’s continental semifinals. Rodman exited that match in tears, unable to put weight on her leg, and was later seen using crutches and wearing a full knee brace. González later commented that the MCL sprain represented “the best scenario” given initial concerns about a more serious injury.

Shortly before her injury, Rodman was named to her first U.S. roster in six months. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes expressed her enthusiasm for Rodman’s return, labeling her as “one of the best players in the world.” However, her national team debut was delayed as she missed the chance to join the USWNT, having only appeared in one match since contributing to the Olympic gold medal run in summer 2024.

Rodman has faced recurring back injuries that hindered her participation with the USWNT over the past year, influencing her performance in last year’s playoffs as well. After the Spirit’s loss to the Orlando Pride in the 2024 NWSL Championship, she remarked, “It’s not an excuse, but I wasn’t the Trin that I aspired to be that day.”

In March, Rodman reflected on her back condition, suggesting it might never fully heal. Nevertheless, her rehabilitation in London this spring led to a more complete recovery and a hopeful outlook. She made her return to the field on August 3 after nearly four months of absence, scoring a dramatic game-winning goal off the bench. An emotional Rodman shared her thoughts with ESPN post-match, expressing the difficulties of her injury recovery.

“Holy cow, that was just the hardest thing I’ve had to go through with injury and everything,” she said, visibly moved after the game.

Rodman is among the NWSL’s rising stars and is set to be out of contract at the end of 2025. Earlier this year, she mentioned to ESPN that she has always contemplated playing overseas, and it was merely a question of timing.

In the regular-season finale on Sunday, the Spirit faced challenges with player availability, having only three healthy field players on the bench for a 1-0 loss to Utah. During the open session of Friday’s training at the Inova Performance Complex, 18 field players were present. Alongside Rodman, Croix Bethune (thigh), Leicy Santos (illness), and Deborah Abiodun (ankle) were also absent last week.

“We have a strong bench now, and we are excited,” Spirit defender Tara McKeown stated following Friday’s practice. “Everyone is ready and eager to compete at home in front of our fans at Audi Field.”