Washington Spirit may not have clinched the NWSL Shield this season, but they’re doubling down for the playoffs.

Last Sunday, Jonatan Giraldez’s team pulled off a tight 2-1 victory over Bay FC, securing a place in the NWSL Championship’s final four. While the score might suggest a smooth ride, Trinity Rodman quickly set the record straight: “I mean, that was hard.”Neither team found the net until the game’s final minutes, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Rodman revealed that Bay FC’s players made the match grueling for her, specifically calling out standout performers. “Every time I was battling with [Asisat] Oshoala or [Racheal] Kundananji, it wasn’t fun. I was like, ‘ouch, ouch,’” she told ESPN. “But I’ve gotta walk out of it like, ‘Okay, next one.’ They’re really smart, crafty, creative, powerful, aggressive. They bring everything to the game, and it challenges us a lot.”

Rodman’s struggle wasn’t isolated. In her words, the whole team had to adapt to the unique strength of Bay’s lineup. Even coach Jonatan Giraldez adjusted the team’s tactics mid-game. “Not even just our back line, but everyone, because we had to change the way that we play,” Rodman continued, noting the changes were crucial to overcoming Bay’s well-organized defense.Despite Bay FC’s resistance, the game finally saw some excitement in the 82nd minute when Oshoala broke the deadlock. Washington didn’t waste time retaliating, with center-back Tara McKeown scoring the equalizer four minutes later, taking the game to extra time. Then, in the 96th minute, a cross from Rodman led to an own goal by Bay’s defender Caprice Dydasco, clinching the win for Washington Spirit.

For Rodman, the high-stakes comeback was unforgettable. These are the kinds of moments she says she lives for. Yet, she acknowledges the Spirit’s strategy will need further tweaking to face teams like Gotham in the next round. “We have to change the amount of numbers that we bring back to overcompensate for how athletic and creative they are,” she remarked. “That was not easy.”

Although the physical toll was evident, Rodman is optimistic about the league’s future, especially as competition intensifies. “I prefer not to go against them, but, you know, I like the way and the direction that the league is going, and it’s great,” she concluded.

With Washington Spirit now set to meet Gotham in the semi-finals, they’re one step closer to a shot at the NWSL Championship title. As they prepare, the lessons from Bay FC are sure to play a role in their strategy. Stay tuned to see if Rodman and her team can go all the way!