It’s finally here, the moment every soccer fan awaits: the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. The crucial match finally arrives as we witness Orlando Pride squaring off against Washington Spirit at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida. But it’s not just the home advantage that the Pride will be having over the Spirit tonight; the home side’s rival star player Trinity Rodman might be starting the match from the bench.

Since the start of this year, ardent supporters have been expressing their concern regarding the USWNT forward. That’s because, since the end of last season, the daughter of Dennis Rodman has been struggling with fitness. A relapse of her back injury had transpired just days after having fired all cylinders for her nation in the Olympics. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as it came during a regular-season NWSL match against the KC Current. The 22-year-old had to be taken off the field in a wheelchair.

At first, the injury didn’t seem too serious, sidelining Rodman for just two regular-season games. However, it ultimately caused her to miss three international windows. Though she did make it back in time for the NWSL playoffs, the 2024 Olympian was compelled to play through discomfort—a fact she later acknowledged. After the NWSL Championship final, the winger admitted, “I wasn’t the Trin I wanted to be today.”

Since then, the offseason has been less vacation and more of a recovery period for the talented winger. That even saw her miss the USWNT’s January camp as well as the SheBelieves Cup, which her nation unfortunately lost. Fast forward to today, expecting Rodman back on the roster is more than just a relief.

That’s because, throughout the past month and even this match week, fans hardly got any update regarding her injury. The only update that supporters were made aware of was that she was “in a really good place.” Regardless, we cannot reiterate how much of a relief it is to see Rodman at least on the bench.

Even if the star player mightn’t start the game, we can expect her to make a short appearance in the later stages of the game. Then again, don’t be surprised if she doesn’t. In fact, we’d like to call it a safe play from Spirit boss Jonatan Giraldez. After all, the Spaniard knows the importance of risk management.

But it’s not like only Pride has the advantage over the Spirit regarding Rodman’s absence; the away side also has leverage.

Trinity Rodman and Co. also hold an advantage over Orlando Pride

Before the game, Seb Hines and Co. had also revealed their player availability report. Unfortunately, they are also missing some of their star players due to injury. Starting off with the forward duo Simone Charley and Amanda Allen, who are out due to their respective ankle and shoulder (SEI – Shoulder) injuries.

While left-back Carson Pickett is out with her foot injury, midfielder Aryssa Mahrt recuperates from her knee blow. Further limiting the squad is right-back Oihane, who is rather missing the match due to an excused absence. Indeed, these player gaps significantly add to the team’s challenges and have affected the roster selection for today’s game.

Yet, Orlando Pride has a greater hand on Washington Spirit. After all, the Purples have secured wins in all the last three fixtures against their current rivals. The Pride also lifted the NWSL Shield with a difference of just 4 points, followed by a narrow win in the Championship final. Who takes the Challenge Cup trophy today is a spectacle that awaits everyone!