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Jeff Kassoff
United States of America Ahead trinity rodman Has a Grade 1 MCL sprain and will be sidelined for an unspecified period of time, washington spirit head coach Adrian Gonzalez said Friday. There is no timetable for his return.
Rodman is expected to miss the upcoming matches against the US Women’s National Team portugal And new zealand Due to a knee injury suffered earlier this week. US Soccer has not announced Rodman’s withdrawal from training camp, and Gonzalez said he could not answer whether she would miss time with the USWNT.
nwsl The playoffs begin in three weeks. Rodman is one of the NWSL’s best players and is the focal point of the offense for Washington, which recently clinched the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
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“We’re taking it day by day,” Gonzalez told reporters. “Every player is completely different.”
Rodman’s injury occurred on Wednesday, just hours after US Soccer announced her return to the team after a six-month absence, and USWNT head coach Emma Hayes told reporters She was “super excited” to have Rodman back On the roster. Rodman last played for the USWNT on April 5.
“She’s one of the best players in the world and we’ve had to play without her for over a year,” Hayes said of Rodman on Wednesday before the forward’s injury.
Rodman was Helped to tears off the field During Wednesday’s 4-0 win over the Mexican team monterey In the final game of group play at the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. She was not able to put pressure on her right leg. She was later seen on crutches and wearing a full knee brace.
“She’s at the facility today and starting rehab; she’s doing well,” Gonzalez said. “The results we got are the best-case scenario. Obviously, an injury is not always a good situation. It’s not as bad as it could be. She’s starting rehab now.”
“She has an MCL sprain. It’s not too big or too severe, but we need to see how she’s doing every day, start rehab today, and try to support her in this situation.”
Washington’s victory on Wednesday secured the Spirit a spot in next year’s semi-finals of the regional championship, which serves as qualification for FIFA’s upcoming world club competitions.
Rodman’s status for the NWSL playoffs is also uncertain. There are two games remaining in the NWSL regular season. The playoffs begin on November 7. The NWSL Championships will take place on November 22.
Rodman has been battling a recurring back injury for more than a year. Her appearance for the USWNT in April – when she scored six minutes into a 2–0 win brazil – This is his only international cap since the Olympic gold medal game in August 2024.
The Spirit clinched the No. 2 seed in the NWSL playoffs for the second consecutive season. Last year, Washington finished second in the regular season and runner-up orlando pride At the NWSL Championship.
Rodman played despite back pain during that stretch and said after his team’s loss in the finals in November 2024 that it was “no excuse, but I wasn’t the player I wanted to be today” due to back pain.
“All players are different,” Gonzalez said Friday. “We are taking care of each player as an individual in terms of his preparation [for] Trying to individualize the week, sport, and load as much as possible. Obviously, every player’s background is different and we always take those details into account.
“Right now, we need to focus on day by day, try to help her recover, try to heal her as best we can, and see how she’s progressing every day.”
The U.S. will play Portugal on October 23 in Chester, Pennsylvania and then on October 26 in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Americans conclude the match against New Zealand on October 29 in Kansas City.
