The current NWSL regular season is underway, featuring a matchup between last year`s playoff rivals on Saturday. The Washington Spirit are set to host Gotham FC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Both teams are dealing with significant player injuries heading into this game. This is the first meeting between the two sides this year, with both considered strong contenders for the playoffs.
Gotham FC, led by head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, face a quick turnaround after a midweek away loss to Portland Thorns FC. Meanwhile, Spirit manager Jonatan Giraldez and his squad are coming off a week five victory against the 2023 NWSL champions, Orlando Pride.
Where`s Trinity Rodman?
Recent reports indicate that Trinity Rodman will be away from the team to manage a back injury, working with both club and U.S. Soccer medical staff.
The 22-year-old forward has experienced back issues since her rookie season. This recent flare-up has currently sidelined her. Rodman`s difficulties were apparent during the playoff run of the 2023 season, and the prolific attacker played through back pain during the 2023 NWSL Championship match.
“I`m not hiding the fact that my back is not feeling great, but I decided to stay in the game,” Rodman commented after the 2023 NWSL Championship. “I could have pulled myself out, so that`s not an excuse. I wasn`t the Trin that I wanted to be today, so that`s a bummer.”
The U.S. women`s national team winger was given time off for rest and recovery after the 2023 season and wasn`t called into USWNT camps again until April of the current year. She began the current NWSL season on the Spirit`s bench, gradually building minutes ahead of the April international window. She last played 45 minutes off the bench for the Spirit against Louisville and 60 minutes against Brazil while with the USWNT.
Spirit head coach Giraldez confirmed before Saturday`s match that Rodman does not have a concrete timeline for her return to play this season as she continues treatment with specialists.
Here`s how you can watch the match:
How to Watch
- Time:
- 1 p.m. ET
- Location:
- Audi Field — Washington, D.C.
- TV:
- CBS
- Live stream:
- Paramount+
Last Meeting
2023 Semifinal Rematch: The last time these two teams met was in the 2023 NWSL postseason semifinals. Gotham was seen as an underdog, despite the Spirit being the second-place team and playing at home. The high-stakes semifinal at Audi Field drew a record playoff crowd. The match ended 1-1 after extra time and was decided by a penalty shootout, with the Spirit ultimately winning.
What Gotham FC Are Saying
Gotham has faced several player injuries to start the season. With this match being the final game of a three-game road week, managing player fatigue and rotation is a top priority for the coaching staff.
“Well, I think it`s important that for us, the priority is the health and safety of the players, and we work really closely with our medical team, with our high-performance team, to make sure that the players are ready to compete and to play,” Coach Amoros stated after their midweek game.
“And that`s not something new. It`s something that we`ve always done, and sometimes it`s the position we are in, something that we cannot really control, so we just try to adapt.”
What The Spirit Are Saying
The Spirit anticipated being without some key players heading into the current season, including midfielder Andi Sullivan (ACL injury in October 2023) and midfielder Croix Bethune (returning from a torn meniscus in 2024, but with limited minutes so far). These challenges have placed greater responsibility on other players across the roster, which Spirit head coach Giraldez views as an opportunity.
“It creates, for me, a big impact, a huge impact, because when you perform and when you win games, it doesn`t matter who is playing,” Giraldez told the media before Saturday`s match.
“That`s the most beautiful thing, positive for the environment, for the culture, try to be as competitive as possible. It doesn`t matter who is playing. So I would like to say that as an opportunity, as a team, to grow together, especially in the bad moments. We know how easy it is in the good moments, when you are winning games, when everyone is healthy, that`s easy. But in the bad moments, we have to be there together, and we are showing a huge character as a team, and I am very happy for that.”
Predicted Lineups
Washington Spirit: Aubrey Kingsbury, Esme Morgan, Tara McKeown, Rebeca Bernal, Gabby Carle, Narumi Miura, Leicy Santos, Heather Stainbrook, Makenna Morris
Gotham FC: Ann Katrin Berger, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, Jess Carter, Bruninha, Neely Martin, Jaelin Howell, Sarah Schupansky, Taryn Torres, Gabi Portilho, Esther Gonzalez
Prediction
Given the number of injuries and the need to manage minutes for players on both sides, this match is likely to be another closely contested, potentially tactical affair. While Gotham may still face some defensive questions, there is enough attacking talent on both teams to suggest goals are probable in this game.
Predicted Score: Spirit 1, Gotham 1
