Jeff Caschell
US forward Trinity Rodman has made her return to training with the Washington Spirit after being sidelined for three months.
Rodman, pivotal in the USWNT’s gold medal journey at last year’s Olympics with three goals, last played a competitive match for the Spirit on April 12. She has been struggling with a recurring back injury, limiting her to one USWNT appearance in almost a year.
Since mid-April, Rodman has been out indefinitely and has not participated in team activities. Over the past few weeks, she has trained individually.
A spokesperson for the Spirit expressed, “We are thrilled to have Trinity back. The health and well-being of our players is our top priority, and Trinity has shown immense dedication to her recovery. She is a crucial part of our team, and we eagerly anticipate her return to the pitch for our August 3 match against the fans.”
As reported by Prosoccerwire, Rodman participated in roughly half of Saturday’s training sessions and engaged in individual work as the Spirit advanced into 11-v-11 drills. The training was open to spectators.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes mentioned to ESPN in early June that Rodman would likely resume training with the Spirit sometime in July.
“She’s doing well, and we’re confident about Trinn’s progress,” Hayes stated last month. “Both the club and the national team have invested significant effort into her recovery.”
The NWSL is currently amidst a month-long hiatus from its regular season due to international competitions. The Spirit has a friendly match lined up later this month before returning to regular play on August 3.
Last September, Rodman had to be taken off the field in a wheelchair following an injury in a game in Kansas City. Despite her challenges, she played through injury until the end of the NWSL season, helping the Spirit finish as the runner-up in the championship.
She has continued to face injury struggles this year. Rodman has mostly been absent from the USWNT roster to focus on her recovery. She made a brief comeback for a match against Brazil in early April, scoring shortly after returning to the squad, marking her only international appearance since the Olympics.
Following that, Rodman left a Spirit NWSL game at halftime and traveled to London for a medical evaluation.
Rodman has previously expressed concerns about her back, suggesting it may never fully heal. “It’s not a straightforward issue; it’s more about managing the structural aspects of my back,” she explained.
“Regrettably, I don’t think my back will ever be the same,” she added.
At just 23, Rodman is a standout player in the NWSL and for the USWNT. As a pending free agent, she was eligible for negotiations with other teams starting July 1, leading her to question, “When does it become a problem?”
The owner of the Spirit, Michelle Kang, has reiterated the team’s commitment to re-signing Rodman.
The return of Trinity Rodman is significant for soccer fans, as her skills are not only vital for the Spirit but also for the USWNT’s prospects. Her journey through injury and recovery highlights the resilience required in sports and her comeback could inspire many young athletes facing similar challenges.
