Trinity Rodman to miss USWNT camp with injury, hopeful for return before end of NWSL season

Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman will miss the U.S. women’s national team’s friendlies against Portugal and New Zealand next week due to a right knee injury she suffered on Wednesday during the Spirit’s 4-0 Concacaf Champions Cup win over CF Monterrey Femenil.

She could still possibly return this year, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

Rodman underwent initial scans on Thursday, which showed a positive long-term prognosis, according to sources. The current outlook is roughly a three-week rehabilitation process before a reevaluation, which would land around the start of the NWSL quarterfinals. Sources were optimistic and did not rule out a return this season, depending on how the knee injury heals and how far the Spirit makes it into the postseason.

Spirit head coach Adrián González will address the matter during the team’s scheduled availability tomorrow afternoon.

The 23-year-old was called back into the U.S. team by head coach Emma Hayes for the first time since April. She had previously missed nine NWSL games this year due to an ongoing back injury that has impacted her since her rookie season in Washington.

Hayes has not yet made a decision on her replacement. One option could be to pull a player from the recently announced U-23 squad, which will be training at the same location in Pennsylvania next week.

Rodman went down in the 37th minute of Wednesday’s match while going up against Monterrey defender Daniela Monroy. Rodman attempted a tackle that resulted in her remaining on the ground for several minutes. She was officially replaced in the 41st minute by teammate Brittany Ratcliffe. Rodman needed assistance to leave the field and eventually returned with crutches, a brace and her full leg wrapped.

Rodman had recently enjoyed a return to form, earning September’s NWSL Player of the Month and has scored five goals and recorded two assists in 15 appearances this year. She scored the opening goal of the Spirit’s 1-1 draw with the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, which secured her team the No. 2 spot in the NWSL postseason and home-field advantage.

The USWNT will play three friendlies during the October international window: two against Portugal on Oct. 23 and 26 in Philadelphia and Connecticut, and one against New Zealand on Oct. 29 in Kansas City.