NEW YORK :Trinity Rodman will return to the U.S. women's national team for the first time since April, U.S. Soccer said on Wednesday, after a bumpy recovery from a back injury.

One third of the United States' lethal "Triple Espresso" forward line, Rodman scored three goals en route to Olympic gold in Paris but struggled with back pain for months after the Games.

She returned to her NWSL side Washington Spirit and national team in April. But the comeback proved short-lived, as head coach Emma Hayes said "reality hit home" that more work was needed to heal one of the United States' brightest stars.

"There were some issues in her back that were unresolved. And collectively with club and country, we took the time to say, 'Look, we've got to get it right for the long-term'," said Hayes.

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