A sold-out crowd of 19,365 fans was soaring high at Audi Field as the Washington Spirit went up 2–0 against the Portland Thorns in the NWSL semifinals. Around the 89th minute, they grew even louder, not because they were cheering the team’s progression toward the final, but because in came a player who never fails to dazzle them: Trinity Rodman. Albeit a short appearance, the moment carried real significance, considering the USWNT forward was returning to action after last playing on October 15.

Blame the MCL sprain for her absence. Nonetheless, the full-time whistle blew, giving Spirit fans a sigh of relief to see both the score and their star player fit—until the post-game interview from Rodman turned those big smiles into big frowning faces. “Once we get this championshi

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