New Spirit exec calls Trinity Rodman 'top priority'

New Washington Spirit president of soccer operations Haley Carter said her "top priority" is re-signing star forward Trinity Rodman.

Carter, introduced in her new role with the NWSL club on Wednesday, said she and team owner Michele Kang are on the same page with that overriding offseason objective.

"There's conversations ongoing hourly," Carter said, per ESPN. "Trin is a top priority, not just for me, not just for Michele and the Spirit, but for the entire league. Michele knows it, you know it, we know it.

"Michele's made it absolutely clear that we will do everything in our power to retain and keep Trin in a Spirit kit. We are actively working with the league on solutions that allow us to retain Trin, while obviously balancing that competitive piece. Trin is in asset; it's bigger than one team. This is about the NWSL's ability to keep its best players."

Rodman, 23, just completed her fifth season with the Spirit and is out of a contract at the end of this month. She reportedly has received major offers from European clubs that the NWSL can't financially match due to the salary cap limitations.

Rodman scored five goals in 15 league matches during the 2025 regular season after missing time with a knee injury. She returned during the playoffs and helped the Spirit reach the NWSL championship game for the second straight season, losing 1-0 to Gotham FC on Nov. 22.

A 2024 Olympic gold medalist with the United States, Rodman was the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021 and made the league's Best XI first team in 2021 and 2024.

Carter, 41, previously served as sporting director and vice president of soccer operations for the Orlando Pride.

--Field Level Media