Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman’s high-intensity approach is well documented, but she has produced a new level of growth this season, particularly in her on- and off-ball movement. Now coached by two of the best coaches in world football — Emma Hayes for the United States, and Jonatan Giráldez for Washington — Rodman has the clear potential to progress further and become one of the greats for the United States.
Despite Rodman’s role with her National Women’s Soccer League club being similar to that of last season’s, her approach is slightly different — and her play further improved — under Giráldez. While the coach only arrived at the club this summer, his impact on Rodman and the Washington Spirit as a whole is already telling. Rodman ranks fourth in expected goals + assists (xG+A) in the NWSL with 11.18 per 90 — her real tally is eight goals and six assists — with the freedom to occupy the flank and roam between the wide and central spaces. She’s outperforming already lofty expectations, which has propelled the Washington Spirit to the playoffs.
A recent back injury caused her to miss the past two games. Her importance to the Spirit — a team battling a handful of major injuries, most recently a torn ACL for Andi Sullivan earlier this week — cannot be understated.
