The NWSL final was a true title showdown. One on side, you had the seasoned veterans, aiming for their sconed title, and on the other, the rookies, making their debut on such a grand stage. In the end, the rookies triumphed, with a former Orlando Pride player believing that more was expected from Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman. 

Rodman knows all about coming in clutch on the big stage. In the 2021 NWSL final, she assisted Kelley O’Hara’s winning goal, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history to achieve such a feat. However, this year, Rodman fell short, as soccer icon Ali Krieger points out, but the Washington Spirit forward isn’t entirely to blame. 

“Yeah, I respect her comments, obviously, I felt right away that, you know, she didn’t look like the Trin we normally see, week in and week out, it seemed like something maybe was going on, I don’t know,” said Krieger on Rodman’s post-match comments, which caused some controversy as she called out the referee for being biased. However, the 22-year-old’s underlying injury came back to haunt her. 

“She seemed a bit chucked out, so now it makes sense because, during the game, I was really wondering what was going on, wasn’t really in any place, wasnt doing normally what (she) does to the attack, or providing too many opportunities, like she normally does, so it makes sense” added Krieger on the latest episode of ‘Futbol Americas’.

The former USWNT icon also mentions that she spoke to Rodman before the match and the forward didn’t express any concerns about her back. To provide more context, earlier this season, Rodman had left the field in a wheelchair during Spirit’s 3-0 loss to KC Current. Sadly, CPKC stadium has become a place of unfortunate memories for Rodman. 

While Trinity Rodman will have plenty of opportunities to claim the NWSL trophy again, one soccer icon had to wait nearly eight years to secure her first domestic league title in the US. Yes, for this Brazilian star, the taste of revenge couldn’t have come at a better time. 

Marta, Orlando’s Pride 

The no.10 once shared the pitch with the likes of Alex Morgan, Ali Kreiger, Steph Catley, and Sydney Leroux, but only she remained to lift the trophy. Marta has made over 100 appearances for Orlando and had her most successful scoring campaign with 11 goals and an assist at the age of 38!

Her goal contributions were vital to the Orlando Side who finished top of the table in the regular NWSL season. Special mention goes to Barbra Banda, who has been in electrifying form throughout the playoffs, especially scoring the only goal of the finale. With Marta leading the celebrations, many speculate that this could be her final dance. 

Going into the next season, Jonatan Giráldez’s Spirit will be the favorite to win the NWSL title. With key players returning from injury and Rodman leading the lines at the front, it’s almost certain her name will pop up on the scoresheet from time to time. However, it hasn’t been entirely a tough year for her, as she recently clinched gold at the Paris Olympics, which won’t be the last of her medals!