Trinity Rodman Battles Through Injury as Orlando Pride Clinch First NWSL Championship
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The stage was set for a dramatic showdown at CPKC Stadium on Saturday night, but the Washington Spirit fell just short in their quest for a second NWSL Championship. Despite a valiant effort, the Spirit were edged out 1-0 by the Orlando Pride, who claimed their first-ever league title. The game’s lone goal came courtesy of Barbra Banda, whose clinical finish in the first half proved to be the difference-maker.
For Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, the loss was particularly tough to swallow. The U.S. Women’s National Team star revealed after the match that she had been battling a nagging back injury, one that she reaggravated earlier this season. However, Rodman refused to let her physical struggles serve as an excuse for the defeat.
“I’m not gonna make an excuse — it’s not hiding the fact that my back’s not feeling great,” Rodman said. “I decided to stay in the game. I could have pulled myself out. That’s not an excuse, but I wasn’t the Trin that I wanted to be today.”
Rodman’s Resilience on Full Display
Rodman’s determination was evident as she played the full 90 minutes, trying to spark her team’s attack and find an equalizer. Despite her efforts, the Spirit couldn’t capitalize on their chances, outshooting the Pride 26-9 but failing to find the back of the net. Rodman herself registered five shots but was largely neutralized by Orlando’s disciplined defense.
“We still had hope the entire time, but I think the cards weren’t falling for us in front of the goal,” Rodman admitted. “That’s credit to their defense. Their defensive line did a phenomenal job. They were shutting me down for sure. We went down, we’re used to that, but we couldn’t get that late winner again.”
Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez stood by his decision to keep Rodman on the field, despite her physical limitations. “I stayed with Trinity because I think that the team we had on the pitch was the best 11 players to win the game,” Giráldez said.
Orlando’s Defense Stands Tall
The Pride’s defensive effort was nothing short of heroic. After Kerry Abello picked up a yellow card in the 31st minute for tripping Rodman on a counterattack, Orlando tightened up even further. Rodman noted how the Pride adjusted to limit her opportunities, saying, “They know I love 1-v-1s. Getting her a card halfway through the first half is an ideal situation for myself, but as soon as she got that card, they’d bring forwards to drop and help.”
Abello’s yellow card was one of six handed out during the match, with four going to Spirit players. The physicality and intensity of the game underscored just how much was at stake for both teams.
The Decisive Moment
The game’s only goal came in the first half when Orlando midfielder Angelina won a challenge against Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos. Angelina’s effort sent Santos to the ground and allowed her to play a perfect ball to Banda, who made no mistake with her finish.
However, the Spirit felt there was controversy surrounding the play. “From my perspective, I saw two hands pushing her down,” Spirit defender Casey Krueger said. “I could be wrong. I’d love to go back and look. We questioned the ref on it and that was the decision, so it’s a tough pill to swallow.”
Rodman echoed her teammate’s frustration, saying, “I don’t want to say no comment, but I think she was a lot more receptive to hearing the Orlando Pride talk than us. A ref’s gonna do what they’re gonna do, but I don’t think she was as open to hearing what we had to say.”
Orlando’s Historic Victory
Despite the Spirit’s late push, Orlando held firm to secure the championship. Banda’s goal was one of only three shots on target for the Pride, but it was enough to seal the win. Orlando head coach Seb Hines praised his team’s defensive resilience, saying, “You could see the players throwing their bodies on the line, working together, tracking back, trying to stop a service or get close to them, blocking shots. It’s no different than what we’ve done all season long, especially in this championship game.”
For Rodman, the loss marked the end of a grueling season. The 22-year-old has dealt with back spasms since her rookie year in 2021, when she helped the Spirit win their first NWSL Championship. This year, she played a pivotal role in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Olympic gold medal run, scoring three goals and starting all six matches. However, the toll of a long season was evident, and she has been left off the USWNT roster for upcoming matches against England and the Netherlands to allow her time to recover.
Key Takeaways
- Orlando Pride claimed their first NWSL Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
- Barbra Banda scored the game’s only goal, capitalizing on a controversial play in the first half.
- Trinity Rodman battled through a back injury but was unable to lead the Spirit to victory.
- Orlando’s defense was instrumental in shutting down the Spirit’s attack, which registered 26 shots but failed to score.
As the dust settles on the 2024 NWSL season, the Pride will celebrate their historic achievement, while the Spirit will look to regroup and come back stronger next year. For Rodman, the offseason will be a chance to heal and prepare for what promises to be another exciting chapter in her already stellar career.
Originally Written by: Caitlin Murray
