Trinity Rodman gives the Spirit the lead with a goal in stoppage time in her first game back after a four-month injury absence vs. the Thorns FC. "Holy cow, that was just the hardest thing I've had to go through with injury and everything," Rodman said while holding back tears after the game. Rodman rehabbed individually before returning to the Spirit for training in mid-July during the NWSL's summer break. Washington coach Adrián González said ahead of the game that the team would be "careful" with how it manages Rodman's return. Rodman played through pain in late 2024 as the Spirit finished second in the league and runners-up in the playoffs.