USWNT’s Trinity Rodman in Tears After Being Helped Off Field Just Weeks After Returning from Another Injury

Just hours after receiving the news that she was back on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team roster following months off with a lingering back issue, Trinity Rodman broke down in tears while being helped off the field following another potentially derailing injury.

Rodman, 23, was playing with her NWSL team, the Washington Spirit, on Wednesday night when she got tied up with defender Daniela Monroy late in the first half. Rodman fell to the ground and stayed there with her head down for several minutes before receiving help off the field from her team’s medical staff, as she struggled to put weight on her right leg.

Later on the sidelines, cameras caught Rodman visibly upset with tears in her eyes as she continued to struggle walking. After going into the team’s locker room where she received a medical evaluation, Rodman returned to the sidelines using crutches.

According to The Athletic, Rodman was spotted after the game with her right leg wrapped and in a brace as team officials declined to provide reporters with a status update.

“We need to wait until tomorrow,” Spirit head coach Adrián González said afterwards, according to The Athletic. “She’s going to get scanned tomorrow, and we will have more information.”

Washington Post soccer reporter Ella Brockway called the injury “worrying,” as it comes just weeks after the USWNT star returned to the field after months off with a back injury – the same injury that also kept her from playing with the USWNT all summer.

Earlier in the day, U.S. head coach Emma Hayes said she was elated to welcome Rodman back to the USWNT roster ahead of the team’s three international games later this month.

“I’m super excited to have Trin back with the group — but a healthy Trin I think is the important thing, Hayes said at a news conference where she announced the team’s roster, according to ESPN, adding, “She’s one of the best players in the world, and we’ve had to play without her for more than a year.”

A key member of the USWNT’s “Triple Espresso” offensive, Rodman helped the Americans win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with three goals and one assist in six games throughout the tournament. The reigning NWSL MVP, Rodman has 11 goals in 47 games with the international squad throughout her career.

After missing 114 days over the summer with her back injury, an ecstatic Rodman told reporters the injury “was just the hardest thing I’ve had to go through” upon her return in August. The USWNT star’s return was triumphant, scoring a game-winning goal for the Spirit and breaking down in tears after the highlight-reel moment, saying afterwards that she was “just really happy to be back.”

Now, Rodman – and both the Spirit and the USWNT – faces the possibility the star American striker will be out for even longer.