Trinity Rodman`s return to professional soccer after a 114-day absence due to a persistent back injury was nothing short of cinematic. The 23-year-old USWNT forward, who hadn`t scored in almost a year, made an unforgettable comeback, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination.
Coming off the bench as a late-game substitute for the Washington Spirit against the Portland Thorns on Sunday, Rodman wasted no time making an impact. After four months of intensive rehabilitation, she sealed the victory in stoppage time with a spectacular, game-winning goal. The decisive play unfolded with a cross from Courtney Brown, a flick-on by Croix Bethune, leading to Rodman`s powerful strike from the far post. The moment was deeply emotional for Rodman and her teammates, marking a significant milestone in her recovery.
“We had to adjust a little bit second half. It wasn`t as clean as we wanted it to be, but still created a lot of opportunities. I`m so proud of the team. Obviously, I`ve been away, and they`ve been putting in that work when I haven`t been here, so I`m just grateful to be back on the field with them. They`re in full support of me. I`m in full support of them, and with the celebration, them, like, just hugging me was the best thing ever,” Rodman said after the game.
Rodman`s struggle with back issues isn`t new; she has experienced tightness and flare-ups since her 2021 rookie season. However, the pain significantly intensified after the Olympic gold medal win. The year 2025 has been a period of experimentation with rest, time off, and various management techniques to address her persistent back problems, highlighting the long and challenging road to recovery.
Her injury concerns led to an extended break from national team duties, including January camps and the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, after she had to leave the 2024 NWSL Championship due to pain in November. Although she gradually built minutes when the 2025 NWSL season started in March and played against Brazil in April, the Washington Spirit subsequently announced her indefinite absence from team activities to manage her injury, with no clear timetable for her return, underscoring the severity of her condition.
Speaking after the match, Rodman elaborated on the emotional weight of her comeback and the intensive rehabilitation efforts.
“This injury has been the hardest thing I`ve had to overcome. So being back, especially at the home stadium, with the crowd behind me, and scoring a goal like that… I buried it, I wasn`t going to miss. I`m just really happy to be back. I miss the team. I miss doing what I love,” she admitted.
She detailed her rigorous individual training: “I was doing a lot of work behind the scenes by myself, getting fit outside of a team environment, which was challenging to replicate. I focused heavily on endurance and ensuring my back functioned properly, tweaking my movement patterns.” She concluded, “It feels great to be back. Trainings have been amazing, and I`m just going to keep building.” This powerful statement reflects her dedication and optimism for the future.
