Trinity Rodman’s Status Uncertain Ahead of NWSL Quarterfinal

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

During Friday’s training session, Rodman did not participate in the first 30 minutes open to the media, spending that time in the adjacent gym facility, as reported by a team spokesperson. She later joined her teammates on the field for the concluding segment of practice.

Rodman, a star of the United States women’s national team, was officially listed as questionable for the quarterfinal match against No. 7 seed Racing Louisville FC in the league’s availability report.

Earlier that day, Spirit head coach Adrián González was cautious about confirming Rodman’s status. He mentioned that Rodman and other players have been evaluated on a “day by day” basis, indicating he would confer with the medical staff later for an official update.

“The only thing with Trin is she’s been doing great,” said González. “I’m positive that she’s checking those boxes and is in a good spot. Mentally and physically, she’s improving. She’s been very committed to her recovery and is doing everything possible to be in the best condition. We remain optimistic about her situation.”

Rodman was unavailable for comments following the practice.

The Spirit enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year. A victory against Louisville on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., would set up a semifinal matchup next week against either the Portland Thorns or San Diego Wave.

“We’re approaching this with a humble mindset,” Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt told reporters after training. “We’re determined and hungry. We’re not simply assuming we should win because we’re at the top. We’re ready to face anyone in the playoffs.”

On Friday, González emphasized the need for the Spirit to maintain defensive compactness and win second balls to avoid getting caught in transition, a tactic favored by Louisville.

Should Rodman be unable to play, her absence will be felt as she has recorded five goals and two assists in just nine games this season.

Rodman suffered her right MCL sprain on October 15 during Washington’s 4-0 victory over Monterrey in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, a result that secured the Spirit a place in next year’s continental semifinals. She exited the field in distress, unable to bear weight on her leg, and was later seen on crutches and wearing a knee brace. González noted that the MCL sprain was the best possible outcome after initial concerns suggested a more severe injury.

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

However, this return must be postponed as Rodman was unable to join the USWNT and has played only one match since her standout performance during the Olympic gold-medal run in the summer of 2024.

Recurring back issues have limited Rodman’s participation with the USWNT over the past year, impacting her during last year’s playoffs as well. After the Spirit’s loss to the Orlando Pride in the 2024 NWSL Championship, Rodman remarked, “It’s not an excuse, but I wasn’t the Trin that I wanted to be today.”

In March, she expressed concerns that her back might never return to its original condition. Nevertheless, her temporary departure from the Spirit’s environment to focus on rehabilitation in London led to a more complete recovery and a brighter outlook.

Rodman made her return to the field on August 3 after nearly four months on the sidelines, scoring a dramatic, game-winning goal off the bench. She emotionally recounted the significance of that moment to ESPN.

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

As one of the NWSL’s rising stars, Rodman’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2025. Earlier this year, she mentioned to ESPN that she has considered playing overseas, emphasizing that it is merely a matter of timing.

In the regular-season finale on Sunday, the Spirit faced challenges with limited player availability, having only three healthy field players available off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Utah.

During Friday’s training session at the Inova Performance Complex, 18 field players participated in the open portion. Alongside Rodman, Croix Bethune (thigh), Leicy Santos (illness), and Deborah Abiodun (ankle) were also unavailable for the previous week.

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