Trinity Rodman’s Status Uncertain Ahead of NWSL Quarterfinal

LEESBURG, Va. – Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman has been officially listed as questionable for Saturday’s NWSL quarterfinal as she recovers from a sprained MCL sustained last month.

During Friday’s training session, Rodman did not participate in the first 30 minutes, which was open to media. Instead, she spent that time inside the team’s gym facility, according to a team spokesperson, before joining her teammates on the field toward the end of practice.

The talented forward, who has been a key player for the United States women’s national team, is now included in the league’s availability report ahead of the quarterfinal match against the No. 7 seed, Racing Louisville FC.

When asked about Rodman’s status earlier in the day, Spirit head coach Adrián González was cautious in his comments. He mentioned that Rodman and other players have been assessed on a “day-by-day” basis and that he would confer with the medical staff later in the day for a definitive update.

“Trinity has been doing great,” González stated. “I’m positive about her progress; she’s checking all the boxes and is in a good mental space. Physically, she’s improving as well. She has shown great commitment to her recovery and is doing everything possible to be in the best position for the match. We remain optimistic about her condition.”

Rodman was unavailable for comment following the practice session.

The Spirit enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year. Should they defeat playoff newcomers Louisville on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., they will host a semifinal next week against either the Portland Thorns or San Diego Wave.

“We approach this match with a humble mindset,” Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt told reporters after Friday’s training. “We are eager to compete and not taking our position for granted. We are coming in with the mentality that we want to win against anyone we face in the playoffs.”

González emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive compactness and winning second balls to avoid being caught in transition, a tactic that Louisville often employs.

Washington may have to contend without Rodman, who has accumulated five goals and two assists in just nine games this season.

Rodman suffered her right MCL sprain on October 15 during a 4-0 victory against Monterrey in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, a result that secured the Spirit’s spot in next year’s continental semifinals. She left the field in tears, unable to place weight on her leg, and was later seen on crutches with a full knee brace. González later indicated that the MCL sprain represented the best-case scenario following initial concerns about the severity of the injury.

Just hours before her injury, Rodman had been named to her first U.S. roster in six months. U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes expressed excitement over Rodman’s return, calling her “one of the best players in the world.”

Unfortunately, Rodman’s participation with the USWNT was delayed, as she has only played one match for the national team since contributing to their Olympic gold-medal victory in the summer of 2024.

A recurring back injury had limited Rodman’s time with the national team over the past year, impacting her performance during 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 wanted to be today.”

In March, she stated that her back might never fully recover, but her decision to focus on rehabilitation in London this spring has led to a more positive prognosis.

Rodman made her return to the field on August 3, after nearly four months away, and scored a dramatic game-winning goal off the bench. In an emotional moment, she spoke to ESPN about the significance of her return.

“Holding back tears, I said, ‘Holy cow, that was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through with injury and everything,’” Rodman recalled after the match.

As one of the NWSL’s rising stars, Rodman is also set to become a free agent at the end of 2025. Earlier this year, she mentioned her aspirations to play overseas, stating it was “just a matter of when.”

In the regular-season finale on Sunday, the Spirit faced challenges with only three healthy field players available off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Utah. However, Friday’s open training session featured 18 field players, indicating a more robust team availability.

Along with Rodman, Croix Bethune (thigh), Leicy Santos (illness), and Deborah Abiodun (ankle) were unavailable last week.

“We’ve got a big bench now and we’re excited,” Spirit defender Tara McKeown said after Friday’s practice. “Everyone is ready and eager to play at home in front of our fans at Audi Field.”