LOS ANGELES (AP) – Trinity Rodman spotted Mallory Swanson across a crowded hotel conference room and started running, jumping on her U.S. teammate with a hug and a joyful laugh.
A few minutes later, Sophia Wilson appears in the room where the National Women’s Soccer League is holding a preseason event, bringing together the trio nicknamed Triple Espresso for the first time since the 2024 Olympics.
Since then, many changes have occurred in their lives. won gold medal in Paris.
Swanson and Wilson both took time away from football to start families. Rodman spent much of last season nursing an injury before high-profile contract negotiations with the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League.
The trio will likely meet again on the national team field this year as the U.S. prepares for November’s Women’s World Cup qualifiers. It is also expected that all three will return to play with their respective NWSL teams at some point this season.
“Obviously, it’s amazing in itself for them to come back from pregnancy. I don’t know how good Soph is already looking on the field after giving birth, but I’m in awe. I’m in awe of all the mothers,” Rodman said of his teammates at a recent event in Los Angeles. “We’re really looking forward to having them back. Obviously they’re on different timelines, but we can’t wait for the next camp when we’ll all be together.”
Mr. Wilson says he intends to do so. Participate in the opening game for the Portland Thorns He hopes to compete in mid-March and also compete for the national team in the SheBelieves Cup tournament earlier that month.
Wilson took time off from both teams last year to welcome her daughter, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson. Gianna was born in September.
“I mean, they’re my daughters. Off the field, they’re my sisters, and it’s important for us to be close,” Wilson said. “I know Mal and I went through a similar journey last year, but it’s so special to go through it with someone you’re so close to, because it’s such a unique experience and there are very few people in our world who know what we’re doing and have experienced it at the same time.”
Swanson welcomed daughter Josie with Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson in November and is still in the “natal bubble,” but is working toward a return to join the Chicago Stars at some point this season. U.S. national team coach Emma Hayes also said a timetable for Swanson’s return to the national team has not yet been determined.
“I don’t know the exact date,” Swanson said. “I think it’s more about taking it week by week and day by day rather than completing stages. We don’t have an exact date yet, but we hope to be done soon.”
Rodman took time off from the game last summer to heal a nagging back problem, then dealt with other minor injuries that ended the Spirit’s season. She appeared in just one varsity game last year.
Rodman became a free agent at the end of the NWSL season, but there was speculation as to whether the Spirit would be able to retain her given the league’s salary cap. She and the spirits initially agreed to a contract in which both parties claimed to abide by the cap. But it was sunk by NWSL.
Accordingly, League introduces “high impact player” systemThis allows clubs to exceed the cap by up to $1 million for players who meet certain criteria. The NWSL Players Association objected to the rule, claiming it had not been negotiated. This standard has also been questioned as being unfair to some players.
The fact that all three players will remain in the NWSL is key, as there were concerns that the league was losing big stars to Europe, primarily due to salary restrictions.
Wilson will remain with the Thorns this year after exercising his player option on his contract. Swanson’s contract with the Stars runs through 2028. And Rodman’s new contract with Spirit is signed earlier this month It has been three years since the league adopted the HIP rule.
Wilson and Swanson watched the national team from afar while Hayes evaluated young players to solidify the squad for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Rodman recently returned to the team for January camp and He became a captain who led a young team to victory. Battle against Paraguay.
“It was fun to watch the new players on the national team get their chances, score goals and get their first caps. I think that’s really important to create depth in the system,” Wilson said. “And I think it’s going to be exciting just to see how it all comes together. Honestly, I’m really excited to be playing with Torin and Mal because they’re two of my favorite people to play with.”
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