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NWSL Trinity Rodman has her eyes set on Europe. The 22-year-old Washington Spirit forward told ESPN on Wednesday that a future abroad was on her mind, just as the 2025 NWSL season is set to kick off this weekend. “I’ve always thought about playing overseas at some point in my career, ” Rodman told ESPN’s Futbol W. “I think I would kick myself if I retired and hadn’t done that. So it’s just a matter of when I think. But yeah, just focused on this year and we’ll see what happens when the time is right. ” Advertisement Rodman’s remarks come after two of her USWNT teammates have gone on to play in Europe this off-season — a small exodus that has sparked a conversation about the NWSL’s place in the global game. San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma became the most expensive transfer when she left the NWSL for Chelsea at a price tag of $1. 1million. Not long after, Gotham’s Jenna Nighswonger and fellow defender moved to Arsenal for a $100, 000 transfer fee. The league’s former NWSL MVP Kerolin, who was most recently with the North Carolina Courage, also announced a move to Manchester City as a free agent. Analysis by soccer writer Jeff Rueter Rodman’s comments come less than two months after Girma became the first women’s footballer to warrant a million-dollar transfer fee. Soon after, 2023 NWSL MVP Kerolin and Nighswonger also moved to WSL clubs. Still, this is far from an exodus event that should send NWSL fans into a panic. For years, clubs in the American top flight have built the top of their rosters by plucking players from other leagues. It’s only natural that there would be some outgoings alongside the incomings as other nations bolster their investments in women’s soccer. That’s especially true as the NWSL has no access to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, which is arguably the grandest stage in the women’s game at club level. As such, the pull of playing under the European floodlights will remain an indelible draw for the best players beyond that cadre of clubs. Rodman would figure to be worthy of a fee akin to what Chelsea paid for Girma’s rights, but the forward is in the final year of her contract with Washington. Given the fact that she can begin negotiating with other clubs this summer (six months before the end of her current deal) and any such move wouldn’t require a transfer fee, there’s a broader stable of clubs that could feasibly afford to bring her in if the salary on offer is right. Advertisement While she’s already among the established starters under head coach Emma Hayes, Rodman also offers a unique perk as arguably the most marketable player in the current USWNT pool, inheriting the mantle from Alex Morgan upon the striker’s retirement in 2024. This wouldn’t just be a signing with shirt sales in mind, however. Rodman is a lethal finisher from inside the box and beyond, a capable chance creator with crosses and clever passes alike, and a tireless runner who can beat an offside trap and make a defense sweat with well-timed decoy runs. Just about every team in the world could benefit from a skillset like Rodman’s. If Washington wants to keep its star player, they’d be wise to make a competitive offer before other suitors come calling. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)