In a troubling incident, Washington Spirit standout Trinity Rodman was taken off the field in a wheelchair after collapsing during Friday night’s match against the Kansas City Current. Rodman fell in the 75th minute following contact with Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga.
Rodman was attended to by the team’s medical staff on the sideline for a few minutes while laying on her stomach and holding her back. With the assistance of two staff members, she tried to make her way to the bench before eventually being transported to the locker room in a wheelchair.
Sending love to Trinity Rodman đź’›
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 21, 2024
Later, Rodman returned to the bench with an ice pack, indicating a positive sign for the star forward. Despite Rodman’s return, the Current went on to secure a 3-0 victory.
Following the game, Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez mentioned that he had “no information” regarding Rodman’s injury, but confirmed that it was related to her back. Giráldez stated that they would evaluate her availability once the team returns to Washington.
Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski, informed on Saturday via the Washington Post that Rodman had experienced an “intense back spasm.” Senkowski mentioned that Rodman was still in considerable pain, but he remained hopeful that she had avoided a severe injury, as reported by the Post.
Rodman has been dealing with back spasms since her rookie season in 2021, suggesting that the incident with Chawinga likely exacerbated her existing condition.
Both the Spirit and the Current, currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the league, have secured a place in the NWSL playoffs, with Kansas City sealing their spot with the recent victory and Washington securing theirs earlier in the week.
However, the absence of Rodman would be a significant setback for the Spirit. The 22-year-old forward plays a crucial role in Washington’s offense, boasting eight goals (tied for fourth in the NWSL) and six assists (tied for second).