An emotional Trinity Rodman had to be helped off the field during the first half of the Washington Spirit’s 4-0 Concacaf W Champions Cup group stage win over visiting Monterrey on Wednesday night.
The United States star went to ground after attempting a tackle along the right touchline. After being helped to her feet by athletic trainers, Rodman appeared unable to put any weight on her right leg before being helped to the sideline while in obvious distress.
After being replaced by Brittany Ratcliffe in the 41st minute, Rodman was seen heading to the locker room on crutches at halftime.
She was spotted on the field after the game in a full-length knee brace and still on crutches. Spirit coach Adrián González said he didn’t have an update on Rodman other than she will undergo scans Thursday.
With Wednesday’s victory, the Spirit won Group B and clinched a berth in the Champions Cup semifinals.
Rodman has been sidelined multiple times because of a back injury in recent months. She has appeared only once for the U.S. women’s national team since the gold-medal winning effort at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Earlier Wednesday, Rodman had been recalled to the USWNT roster for the first time since April.
U.S. head coach Emma Hayes spoke then of her excitement at having a healthy Rodman available after the forward was sidelined for four months in an effort to remedy her back issue. The 23-year-old had scored seven goals in 13 games for the Spirit since her return.
“I’m super excited to have Trin back with the group — but a healthy Trin I think is the important thing,” Hayes said at a news conference.
“When she came in in April, she really felt she was in a good place, but the reality was, I think so much adrenaline got her through that game in L.A., but afterward that reality hit home that there were some issues in her back that were unresolved. …
“She’s one of the best players in the world, and we’ve had to play without her for more than a year.”
The U.S. will play Portugal on Oct. 23 in Chester, Pennsylvania, and again on Oct. 26 in East Hartford, Connecticut.
