On the cusp of the Washington Spirit’s final home game of the season, one of the team’s biggest stars may be nearing their return to Rowdy Audi.
USWNT forward Trinity Rodman, who has been recovering from an MCL sprain for the last month, was seen participating with the team in full on Friday, when a portion of training was open to media in Leesburg, Virginia.
Also participating in training was Tara McKeown, who last week suffered a right ankle injury during the Spirit’s quarterfinal match against Racing Louisville. It was a positive sign for the center back, who was last seen leaving the pitch in visible pain and on crutches.
The Spirit on Saturday return to Audi Field, where they will face a strong Portland Thorns side in the NWSL semifinals before another sellout crowd in D.C.
It’s unclear whether Rodman, McKeown or any other previously injured players would be available for selection for the decisive match. Head coach Adrian Gonzalez said the team will evaluate player availability Friday afternoon. The league has not issued teams’ availability reports as of 2 p.m. ET.
“The only thing that I can say is, we’ve been training, obviously, today with all players, and I think that’s positive,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve been managing the loads a lot and trying to individualize all the trainings as well as possible, and the players have done a great job. So, I think we’re in a good spot, and we will have more players.”
Multiple players have slowly been returning to the team’s training environment as the post-season has progressed. Starting fullback Gabby Carle, who exited last week’s game with a hamstring injury, was seen working in the team gym with a trainer.
Rodman’s return would be a welcome boost for the Washington Spirit against the Thorns, who feature a strong backline and versatile attack that includes U.S. midfielders Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey.
Rodman has been absent from the pitch for nearly a month, after suffering a knee sprain during the Spirit’s CONCACAF W Champions Cup match against Monterrey. If she features on Saturday, it will be exactly one month after her tearful exit from that game.
Rodman was listed as questionable for the Spirit’s quarterfinal match against Racing Louisville last week. She was available for selection, but kept on the bench, where she spent the entire 120 minutes of play hyping up her teammates. Gonzalez said after the match that the team was being cautious with her return.
“She’s a leader. She spreads that energy,” Gonzalez said about Rodman’s value to the team, even off the pitch. “Obviously, we would like to see her playing on the field, but sometimes you cannot do that, and you need to have another role. She did an amazing job last week, helping all the teammates before the game, during the game and after.”
The Spirit-Thorns semifinal is sure to feature another historic crowd at Rowdy Audi. The club announced Wednesday it had sold out the match in a record 64 hours, marking the team’s fourth consecutive playoff sellout at Audi Field over the last two seasons.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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