Trinity Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis and star of Team USA’s gold-medal run in Paris, suffered an intense back spasm that caused her to leave the field by wheelchair late in the Washington Spirit’s match against the Kansas City Current.
Rodman, who was on the U.S. national team that won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, fell to the ground in the 75th minute of the game Friday night after contact with Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga.
She tried to walk off the field but eventually went to the locker room in the wheelchair. Later, the 22-year-old returned to the bench. The Spirit lost 3-0 to the Current.
After the match, Spirit coach Jonatan Giraldez said Rodman ‘felt something in her back’ and would be evaluated further when the team returned to Washington.
Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski, told The Washington Post that she had a ‘intense back spasm’ but was hopeful she avoided serious injury.
Rodman, who has eight goals for the Spirit, has a history of back spasms.
There was no update on her condition Saturday morning. The Spirit face Angel City in Los Angeles on Friday.
Rodman is currently nominated for the Ballon d’Or award, along with last year’s winner, Aitana Bonmati, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan.
The ‘Triple Espresso’ front line of Rodman, Smith and Swanson has become an imposing force for Team USA, as witnessed by their first place finish at the Paris Olympics. Rodman and Smith both scored three goals during the tournament, while Swanson added fourth to tie for second overall.