Trinity Rodman Scores Game-Winning Goal for Spirit in Return from Back Injury

It didn't take Trinity Rodman long to make her presence felt upon returning from a back injury.

The Washington Spirit star returned to the field for the first time since April as a second-half sub during Sunday's game against Portland Thorns FC. All she did was bury the game-winning goal in stoppage time to lift the Spirit to a 2-1 victory.

ESPN's Jeff Kassouf noted Rodman has dealt with a recurring back injury that has impacted her ability to play for both Washington and the United States Women's National Team.

While she starred during the 2024 Olympics, her only game since then for the Red, White and Blue came on April 5. She then left the Spirit's April 12 contest because of back concerns and received treatment in London.

Rodman returned to her club in July during the NWSL's summer break after rehabbing individually, but the team understandably took a cautious approach and didn't sub her into Sunday's game until late in the second half.

After all, she told reporters in May, "honestly, I don't think my back will ever be 100 percent. It's kind of an issue of it's not one specific thing, it's just the way that my back's structured. And it's more so management than like a curable fix.

"So I think we've managed it really well and I'm happy with the progression that we've had. But for me, I don't think my back will ever be the way it was my rookie year, which is unfortunate."

Given that as the backdrop, the Spirit crowd gave her a raucous ovation when she checked into Sunday's contest:

"That was just the hardest thing I've had to go through with injury and everything," Rodman said during an emotional interview with ESPN after the game. "So being back, especially at home with the crowd behind me scoring a goal like that. … I'm just really happy to be back. I missed the team, I missed doing what I love."

Sunday was an important step back, as the 23-year-old is one of the faces of the NWSL and a rising star for the national team.

She scored three goals and helped lead the Americans to the gold medal during the 2024 Games as part of a dominant attacking trio alongside Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson and appeared primed to continue her ascent within the program.

While the back injury has slowed her of late, she looked like her old self while taking advantage of an opportunity to play the role of hero late in Sunday's win.