Trinity Rodman leaves NWSL game in wheelchair and later returns to the bench with an ice pack on his back

Washington Spirit and U.S. national team striker Trinity Rodman left Friday night’s NWSL game against Kansas City Current in a wheelchair and visibly in pain – a frightening moment for the star player.

Greetings to Trinity Rodman 💛

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) 21 September 2024

Rodman, a key figure in the USWNT winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer, was substituted in the 78th minute after making contact with Current’s Temwa Chawinga just minutes earlier. Images from the game show Rodman being wheeled off the court with a towel over her head.

She later returned to the bench with an ice pack on her back, a positive sign for the 22-year-old striker, who has struggled with back problems several times in her career.

The collision with Chawinga appeared to be subtle, but Rodman has struggled with back spasms since her rookie season in 2021, suggesting Friday’s injury could be a recurring setback from the lingering injury.

After the game, Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez couldn’t say much about Rodman’s condition, saying it was too early to say anything.

“I don’t have any information at the moment,” Giráldez said. “Tri was on the bench at the end. She felt something in her back. … But I don’t have any information. It’s too early now. We have to go back to Washington tomorrow and see what happened and what the availability of the players is to play in Los Angeles next week.”

The Spirit finished Friday’s game at CPKC Stadium with a 3-0 loss, securing a spot in the NWSL playoffs. Rodman’s absence would be a devastating blow to the Spirit, who are currently second in the league standings.

The Spirit will be back in action next week when they face Angel City FC in Los Angeles on Friday.

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(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)