It’s interesting how Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith connect so well together. The USWNT’s Tripple Espresso gave a pure loss-for-words kind of performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, netting 12 goals and winning gold after 12 years to get into the history books. However, when it comes to the domestic scene, the dynamics shift, as they each fight alone for individual glory. For USWNT icon Tobin Heath, while Swanson and Smith face their own challenges, Rodman, in contrast, “doesn’t have to do anything.”

One can call it a vacation for USA-based NWSL stars who got a chance to compete in the Emma Hayes-led Summer Games. However, now that the international party is over, players may face difficulties in re-setting the club scene. “Everybody’s going down back into a different team,” remarked Heath to Christen Press in the latest episode of the RE—INC podcast.

The former forward believes that, unlike the national camp setup where everyone contributed to winning accolades, players alone would put pressure on themselves to lead their domestic side. “Mal Swanson—she is going to have to carry that team if they go anywhere. She’ll have to do it but if you look at a Trinity Rodman, her team’s much more well-balanced. She doesn’t have to do [anything].”

“When you look at Sophia Smith, I would have never said this about Portland but same situation as Mal,” added Heath, insisting that both Smith and Swanson may have to go the extra mile for their respective clubs to get the results needed. One can understand this by simply looking at the NWSL standings.

Notably, with a tally of 44, Rodman’s Washington Spirits are currently trailing by four points behind NWSL leader, Orlando Pride. Meanwhile, Smith’s Portland Thorns are in 6th place with 27 points, and Swanson’s Chicago Red Stars are just behind them in 7th place, one point less. Certainly, in order to make play-offs, both Smith and Swanson would be required to single-handedly lead their side.

However, it’s not that either Sophia or Mal is unlucky to be in weak teams. The sudden mid-season international break is also to blame for the inconsistent performances of players and teams on the domestic front.

Trinity Rodman still warned over a ‘mixed bag’ of NWSL playoffs’ results!

Perhaps the saddest thing about the NWSL is that it starts much earlier than leagues like Europe’s WSL, which begins in late August. America’s women’s domestic league kicks off around the beginning of the new year. When an international tournament is scheduled for mid-year, NWSL stars are often forced to leave their domestic teams in between to join national camps and then return to their clubs, where they have to readjust. This shift can be challenging for players, a point Tobin Heath acknowledges.

“I think we’re going to be seeing a mixed bag but it is going to influence where these teams are going to finish up going to the playoffs and at the end of the season. The world championship years always affect the second part of the NWSL,” admitted Heath. Perhaps one shouldn’t be surprised to see players like Swanson, Rodman, or Smith taking time to adjust to their domestic setup after a successful international campaign. Either way, all three would be required to pick up their pace in order to enjoy glory with their respective clubs as well.