Copyright Athlon Sports
Trinity Rodman missed the USWNT call-up for the friendly matches against Portugal and New Zealand. While the striker is doing rehab, she might not be available for the last Washington Spirit game of the season before the playoffs. Rodman’s knee health has been one of the most talked-about topics in the NWSL after she suffered an MCL sprain. The Washington Spirit forward has been battling injuries in 2025 and already dealt with a back injury earlier in the year that took a couple of months to heal. When she finally returned, she came off the bench and scored a banger against the Portland Thorns. Now, back on the injured list, Rodman shared an update before the USWNT game vs. New Zealand showing her doing knee rehab ahead of both the national team match and the Spirit’s season finale. There’s no confirmed timetable for Rodman’s return yet. According to veteran USWNT striker Heather O’Reilly, an MCL sprain takes at least five weeks to heal. That means the Washington Spirit might not have Rodman available for the first round of the playoffs — and possibly not at all if they lose early. Rodman’s Injuries This Season Could Become a Problem for the USWNT Trinity Rodman is seen as the lead striker of the new generation, along with Alyssa Thompson. While this is the first injury that has really affected Rodman’s run with the USWNT, she had already suffered a back injury back in April, right after scoring against Brazil in a friendly match. That injury didn’t affect the USWNT, but it did impact the Washington Spirit during the early stages of their post–mid-season comeback. Rodman eventually returned and kept scoring, but the frequency of her injuries could be a red flag for Emma Hayes. Without Rodman, the USWNT lost for the first time to Portugal — not directly related to her absence — but found a way against New Zealand, with Emma Sears scoring a hat trick to put her name in the spotlight and in the race to become an undisputed starter. The next USWNT friendlies are scheduled for late November and early December, both against Italy.
