Slowly but surely, Trinity Rodman is making a triumphant return to football.
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a back injury, the U.S. forward made her long-awaited comeback earlier this month (3 August).
It has been a turbulent time for the 23-year-old, who Washington Spirit head coach Adrián González insists is “feeling good” again.
“She’s doing good; we are just building that progression, being smart and having good communication with her,” he told the media ahead of the Spirit’s recent 2-22 draw with Racing Louisville.
“She’s feeling good, she’s not in pain – we don’t want to rush in terms of getting her a lot of minutes, so she needs time, and we need to respect that.”
Rodman marked her return in dramatic fashion, an emphatic stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 thriller clinching all three points against the Portland Thorns.
It was the perfect re-introduction to fans at Audi Field – and a reminder of the calibre of player they have on their hands.
“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through, with the injury and everything,” the visibly emotional forward said at full-time, as cited in The Guardian.
“Being back, especially at [our] home stadium with the crowd behind me, scoring a goal like that… you saw how I buried it, I was not going to miss.
“I’m just really happy to be back. I missed the team, I missed doing what I love, so [I’m feeling] joy.”