Trinity Rodman is stepping away from team activities with the Washington Spirit to address her continuing back issues and will not play in Saturday’s game against the Orlando Pride, her team confirmed to on Saturday.

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“Trinity is taking time away from team activities to manage her back,” the Spirit said in a statement. “We look forward to her returning when she’s healthy.”

The news was first reported by The Washington Post, with Rodman’s agent Mike Senkowski telling the outlet that she would meet with the Spirit’s team doctor in London.

The U.S. Women’s National Team forward has been battling back issues for several years and was taken out of the field with a wheelchair last September during a league match against Kansas City Current.

Earlier this month after a Spirit victory over Bay F.C., Rodman told reporters that she doesn’t think her back “will ever be 100 percent.” She explained that there is not a specific issue with her back, but “just the way my back is structured.” She admitted her back would never feel like it did during her rookie year.

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Just days later, the 22-year-old scored the winning goal for the USWNT at SoFi Stadium against Brazil — and even made fun of her back issues with a cheeky gesture. She did not play in the second match against the South American team but returned to the pitch and played 45 minutes the following week as the Spirit beat Racing Louisville at home, 2-0.

The Washington Spirit will face Orlando with a depleted roster. Eleven players are officially ruled out for the match, with another key player, midfielder Leicy Santos, listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.

The team has been battling a growing injury list all season: long-term absences include captain Andi Sullivan, forward Ouleye Sarr, goalkeeper Lyza Jessee, and rookie Emma Gaines-Ramos. USWNT midfielder Hal Hershfelt sprained her ankle in the season opener, but she is nearing a return. Casey Krueger has missed the last two matches with a knee issue. Croix Bethune — the 2024 Rookie of the Year — suffered a setback while recovering from a meniscus injury that she bizarrely picked up while throwing out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game. Bethune has resumed partial training but remains at least one to two weeks away from suiting up.

Adding to the injury list, Brittany Ratcliffe, who assisted both Washington goals last weekend, is also out with a lower-leg injury.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

US Women’s national team, Washington Spirit, NWSL

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