Some mystery around Trinity Rodman’s leg injury has been cleared up, but that’s not to say it’s at all comforting as the postseason nears.
After undergoing scans on Thursday, it was revealed that Rodman, 23, suffered a grade 1 MCL sprain during Wednesday’s Concacaf W Champions Cup group stage game and has no return timeline, Washington Spirit head coach Adrian Gonzalez said Friday, per ESPN.
“The results that we got are the best scenario,” Gonzalez said. “Obviously, an injury is not always a good situation. It’s not as bad as it could be. She’s starting now the rehab. She has an MCL sprain. It’s not too big, too much, but we need to see how she’s doing today, start the rehab today, and try to support her in this situation.”
“We are going to take this day by day. Every player is completely different,” he added.
Rodman still could return before the end of the NWSL season, according to The Athletic.
A grade 1 MCL sprain is the least severe of the injury category, but it likely involves a three-week rehab process before a reevaluation. That timeline would land Rodman around the start of the NWSL quarterfinals, which are set to begin on Nov. 7.
With that, Rodman will likely miss the Spirit’s match against the No. 3 Orlando Pride on Saturday as well as the three upcoming USWNT friendlies at the end of October, including two against Portugal on Oct. 23 and Oct. 26 and another against New Zealand on Oct. 29.
During Wednesday’s game, Rodman tumbled to the ground after attempting a tackle.
Trainers came on the field quickly to attend to her, and she eventually exited in the 41st minute, as she was unable to put any weight on her right leg. She returned with crutches, a brace and with her full right leg wrapped as she watched the Spirit win over CF Monterrey Femenil, 4-0.
The injury came on the same day that Rodman received her first USWNT call-up since April, as she was previously dealing with an ongoing back injury that sidelined her for nine NWSL games.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has yet to make a decision on who will replace Rodman.
Since her return, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist has put up seven goals and two assists across all competitions.
The Spirit has two regular season games left before prep for the NWSL quarterfinals begins. They battled to clinch second place in the league for the postseason and secured home-field advantage in the quarterfinals and semifinals, if they advance.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
