Fansided

3 major takeaways from the first week of NWSL matches

By Caden Charpentier

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit celebrates her goal in the second half of the NWSL match against OL Reign at Audi Field on March 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit celebrates her goal in the second half of the NWSL match against OL Reign at Audi Field on March 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit celebrates her goal during a game between OL Reign and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on March 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit celebrates her goal during a game between OL Reign and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on March 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

Takeaways from NWSL week 1: Trinity Rodman makes statement with display against OL Reign

Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman was a one-women wreaking crew on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field. The USWNT winger was electric from start to finish. Rodman completed four take-ons while scoring what has to be the goal of the weekend. Nowhere in the build-up was there an assist. Rodman simply took the ball from a throw-in beyond the halfway line and drove at the OL Reign defense that for some reason never chose to step to her. With the away side gifting her that much room to run, Rodman fired a left-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner to shock the Reign just nine minutes into the second half.

She constantly asked questions of Laura Harvey’s backline using her speed and patience to wear down the defense across 90 minutes. Last season, Rodman had four goals in 16 NWSL regular season starts. It may only be the first weekend, but it looks like she is bound to shatter that mark in 2023. The talent that Rodman has is special, and while she does not see the pitch as much as she would like for the USWNT level, performances like these could force her into more time.

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