WASHINGTON — The Washington Spirit is the hottest team in D.C. right now. With 12 wins so far this season, the team has tied the club record for most wins in history, and currently sits in second place in the National Women's Soccer League. The team is set to take on the Portland Thorns on Saturday at Audi Field.
Star Forward Trinity Rodman has three goals in her last five matches. She also scored three goals and an assist for the U.S. Women's National Team at the Olympics en route to a gold medal.
Rodman told WUSA9 that winning gold ranks "at the top" of her list of accomplishments, but she has other goals she wants to achieve.
"World Cup can be next, and then maybe a championship this year," she said.
During the Olympics in Paris, Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith helped secure Team USA's first gold medal since 2012. They also came up with the nickname "Triple Espresso."
"It's kind of teetering between 'The Trident' and 'Triple Espresso,'" Rodman said of the nickname. "Me, Soph and Mal like espresso, so we're sticking with that one."
Jonatan Giráldez took over coaching duties for the Spirit in July. Rodman says the change hasn't slowed the team down.
"I think we're just going to keep going up. Obviously there was change halfway through the season. We're adapting every single day and it's showing that we're improving and we're building our connections, so I'm very excited for the rest of the season," Rodman said.
The young star became just the third person in NWSL history to score 10 or more goals in multiple seasons before the age of 23. Despite all her success, she said she is still hungry to do more.
"Being a young player and being successful it's easy to think that I did my job already, but for me I'm always looking to improve and kind of beat myself every year, beat my last year's self," Rodman said.
As the Spirit's season continues, focus shifts toward clinching a playoff spot.
"Honestly, I'd rather not clinch it fast because then you've gotta keep going up and keep pushing. Once you clinch it's like, 'Oh, we did it. The job's done.' But for us, this whole season has been about how can we get better, how can we improve, how do we score more goal? I think honestly we're just going to keep our heads down and focus on game."