Washington Spirit may have lost the chance to grab the NWSL Shield but they’re leaving no stone unturned in the playoffs. On Sunday, Jonatan Giraldez’s side secured a close 2-1 over Bay FC to reach the last four stage of the NWSL Championship. While it would suggest the Spirits were in a cruise mood throughout the game, Trinity Rodman has stepped in to clarify the matter by saying, “I mean, that was hard.” 

Well, to be honest, we aren’t surprised either, considering that neither side could manage to open their account just 10 minutes before the final whistle. Then again, Rodman has something to say, that explains why not just the team, but herself faced such a tough battle against the San Francisco-based club. In fact, she was able to single out some individual performances of a few opposition stars as well.

“Every time I was battling with [Asisat] Oshoala or [Racheal] Kundananji, it wasn’t fun. I was like, ‘ouch, ouch’,” she began while speaking to ESPN.  “But I’ve gotta walk out of it like, ‘Okay, next one.’ So, they bring a lot. They’re really smart, crafty, creative, powerful, aggressive. They bring everything to the game and I think it challenges us a lot,” added the 22-year-old, before sharing how it forced the Spirits to change their tactics.

“Not even just our back line, but everyone because we have to change the way that we play,” added the daughter of NBA icon Dennis Rodman, admitting that Giraldez and Co. had to make some tweaks within their system. After all, they had been struggling to break into Bay’s defense line and find the back of the net.

Notably, Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, but four minutes later, the Spirits’ center-back Tara McKeown scored the equalizer and sent the match to extra time. Interestingly, in the 96th minute, a decent cross from Rodman was somehow put in by rival defender Caprice Dydasco, eventually winning for the Spirits.

Of course, it was a comeback of a lifetime for Spirits, who managed to progress through the next round. Then again, these are the moments that Rodman wants to live for!

Trinity Rodman expresses confidence in the future of NWSL after a stellar Bay FC comeback

In order to not succumb to their own mistakes which they made against Bay FC, Trinity Rodman has urged her side to carry forward more changes in their playing style. “We have to change the amount of numbers that we bring back to kind of overcompensate for how athletic and creative they are. So, yeah, kudos to them for sure. That was not easy.”

While playing another match against such opposition would be the last thing that Rodman would wish for, she at least keeps a positive overall perspective: NWSL is growing! “I prefer not to go against them, but, you know, yeah, I like the way and the direction that the league is going, and it’s great,” she concluded.

With the win, the Washington Spirits have moved to the last four where they will be facing Gotham in the upcoming weekend. A win would see them contest for the Championship against the winner of Orlando Pride vs  KC Current. Let’s see how that unfolds.