Trinity Rodman could find herself playing in the Women’s Super League (WSL) amid uncertainty over her future at NWSL play-off finalists Washington Spirit.
The 23-year-old USWNT star returned from a knee injury in Washington’s 2-0 semi-final victory over the Portland Thorns on Saturday.
Reports have claimed that it could be her last game for the franchise, with her contract set to expire next month.
Ahead of Washington’s NWSL play-off final against Gotham FC this weekend, questions have been raised about the future of Rodman, who has reportedly been entertaining offers from Europe since the summer.
Why could Trinity Rodman leave the Washington Spirit?
Trinity Rodman has been open about her wishes to play overseas at some point during her career, raising questions over a move to the WSL.
She told ESPN’s Futbol W that she “always thought about playing overseas at some point” in her career. The forward added that it was just a “matter of when” over a move abroad.
The Washington Spirit have attempted to extend Rodman’s contract, but a big problem has been the league’s salary cap restrictions.
Presently, the NWSL operates a $3.5 million (£2.6m) salary cap for a roster of up to 26 players. Europe’s top earners reportedly command up to $1.1m (£835,000) in comparison.
ESPN have reported that Rodman’s agent engaged with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to explore solutions.
Berman, though, has refused to budge, recently stating: “We want any team to be able to win any game. It’s important not just for the players to know that they’ll need to show up and compete, but it’s important for our business.
“No one wants to buy tickets to a game where you know the outcome before it starts and we want our fans, every single year when the schedule comes out, to believe that their team can win the championship or their team can win the Shield, and without a salary cap, that can’t be true, so we have to know that.”
Trinity Rodman could be on the move??👀🌏
Rodman has been rumoured to be in talks with a few different leagues, as she renegotiates her current NWSL contract…
Where should Rodman go? pic.twitter.com/7PlOjFXHQZ
— DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) November 17, 2025
Could Rodman join the WSL?
Unlike the NWSL, the WSL – and Europe’s other top leagues – have no salary cap restrictions.
This could help the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs in any efforts to sign USWNT forward Rodman.
Chelsea have already swooped in for top NWSL talent, signing Naomi Girma during the January transfer window last season from San Diego Wave.
The NWSL then lost another top young star in Alyssa Thompson, who joined Chelsea from Angel City back in September.
Rodman would be tempted by the allure of playing in the WSL, which, alongside the NWSL, is regarded as the top league in the world of women’s football.
However, playing in the Women’s Champions League is also a big allure, meaning the likes of Barcelona and Lyon could look to challenge top WSL clubs if they are interested in Rodman.
Rodman’s football career
Rodman, the daughter of former Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons NBA star Dennis, has played her entire football career in Washington.
After playing for the Washington State Cougars at college, she joined the Washington Spirit in 2021.
For the Spirit, she has played 119 games and scored 36 goals. She has also scored 11 goals in 47 caps for the USWNT.
Rodman entered the playoffs with a knee injury but played one minute in the 2-0 win over the Portland Thorns.
She will hope to play a bigger part in the final on Saturday night against Gotham FC and win her second NWSL Championship.
