Trinity Rodman adds soccer maturity alongside being a superstar celebrity in USWNT return

CARSON, Calif. -- Following a historic new contract, Trinity Rodman took the pitch with the U.S women's national team on Saturday against Paraguay, wearing the captain's armband. It's just another milestone for her to check off in a very busy week for the biggest star in NWSL. 

The USWNT decimated Paraguay 6-0 on Saturday night, with goals by Rodman, Ally Sentnor, Reilyn Turner, and Emma Sears. A first half that was somewhat disjointed and full of first-game-of-the-year energy was immediately flipped into a dominant showing as the team headed to halftime. 

While head coach Emma Hayes warned in pregame availability that the game might be "a bit clunky" at times, the goals were relentless in the second half. All the while, Rodman sported the armband as team captain before being subbed out shortly after the hour mark, capping off another milestone in a massive week for the winger. 

Trinity Rodman emerges as a USWNT celebrity

Rodman is a rare thing in sports, she's a bonified no joke cultural celebrity. Part of Rodman's appeal  is her effortless ability to set and contribute to global trends. She's keyed in on what is happening off the pitch in fashion and pop culture, while thrilling sports audiences whenever on the field. She's easily able to connect with young fans and kids and can often be found on the sidelines, even participating in TikTok videos with teammates or supporters. 

Electrifying, athletic, dynamic, and energetic are just some of the different types of ways Rodman's appeal has been described. But now, she's showing another level of maturity that hasn't typically been expressed since turning pro five years ago. It's something that often comes with time, maybe even larger contracts, and is showcased in different ways. For Rodman, it's owning her moment and recognizing its significance in the bigger picture of women's soccer's growth. 

"I think it's an opportunity for me, obviously amazing that I could do it and be making this type of money. It's life-changing," Rodman said on her new contract. 

Even with a deal inching toward the finish line ahead of national team camps, she still carried the weight of making a contract decision while preparing to return to international play for the first time since April 2025.

"I think as it progressed a little bit, it was inching closer and closer to kind of the decision I wanted to make, but there was still so much happening with the [Players Association] and the back and forth, so you can't be too sure. But I try to stay in the present moment. And coming into camp, it was weird reading unattached, but I was very focused on first camp back, a leadership role, lots of new faces, and just coming in and doing my job.

"But outside of that, it's to inspire and to kind of push the standard for the entire league. I don't want to be the only player who's able to get this. I think we all work so hard, and we're all improving our game. But most importantly, I think the work that we do with the youth, showing that, while also showing our personalities off the field, because that brings in more people [to the game]."

Maturity and leadership can't be measured in data. It's typically more of a calling, and sometimes people need guidance in embracing the two. U.S. national team Hayes noted the evolved shift in maturity during the unprecedented contract negotiations. 

"I think Trin has been clear on what she wanted. The conversations her and I probably had is that she does care deeply about the impact of the game beyond herself. She does appreciate being a role model for the sport, and she wants to do that in America. And she wants to elevate the NWSL, as do all the players, and she recognizes that being in the spotlight comes with that," Hayes said on Rodman's new deal.

"But I think you see with the maturity of and handling of the press [Thursday], I haven't told her this yet. I was like, 'You know what? You're really growing up,' and I'm always proud of that. So I think being settled for any player really matters. And I think having that clarity now, now it's about okay, how do you accomplish your next set of goals, whatever they are, and can focus on that rather than the conversation around her contract situation."

Rodman adds professional maturity to stardom

As the national team prepared for the January friendlies, head coach Hayes spoke with Rodman about taking on the captaincy during the camp in general, before ultimately awarding her the armband for the match against Paraguay. Due to the unique circumstances of the unofficial window, several players, including team captain Lindsey Heaps and vice-captain Naomi Girma, were unavailable for selection due to club commitments in Europe. 

Hayes also held conversations with defender Emily Sams and 20-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton about stepping into leadership roles throughout the camps. But Rodman leads the current roster with the most appearances (47) and goals (11) of anyone in camp. 

"I mean, it's like a weird situation," she joked.  "I haven't been at camp for almost a year, so I have to kind of relearn everything that I missed, which has been an overload. But I don't know. I'm feeling good. I'm feeling happy. Very blessed to be in this situation and to be captain, and to have that arm band is an honor in itself. 

"We're missing a lot of leadership roles on the team right now in this camp, but I'm just trying to do my best at kind of connecting all of the players, because there's a lack of connection, with the lack of play time with each other, and these lineups have been mixed up so much over the past year."

Though she's not quite ready to refer to herself as a "veteran," mostly due to her age, Rodman is the most capped player currently in the January camps, and she was tasked with taking on more of a leadership role by manager Hayes during the team's winter gathering. 

"Emma was just kind of telling me to connect with the players, have those conversations. If you see somebody is kind of overwhelmed or struggling to just give attention to that and kind of relate, which I can, because I still get really nervous, and even for tomorrow, I'm nervous because it's been almost a year [since playing with USWNT]. I think there's just overall a lot of connection and to try to acknowledge that as much as I can."

Rodman's quick to distance herself from former team captains out of respect, but as a player who had to look to others for her own lessons, the winger understands that the qualities people look for in leadership are often different. She's taking a leadership approach that's authentic to her while paying homage to the history of team captaincy. 

"I think just continuing to keep and raise the standard of the national team. If it's on the field, just moving quickly between drills, communicating in between 11 to elevens. If it's off the field, in the meal rooms, just being respectful to everybody that's around, just simple stuff. For me, the captains that have been on this team, well, I can't even put myself in the same category, because I have so much to learn and so much to improve on, but I'm just trying to learn from them and continue that legacy of theirs as well."

From next big thing to USWNT leader

Trinity Rodman has become the most recognizable face of the NWSL in recent years, especially after the retirements of former USWNT legends Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Christen Press, among others. Like them, she's looking ahead to the next phase of her career and wants to get involved more with youth in the community as her profile continues to rise.

Being in the spotlight sometimes brings unwanted attention, especially when navigating career lows. Though Rodman is hesitant to consider herself in the same category as past USWNT leadership, former stewards have faith in her ability. 

"I think the pressure of playing for this team is real, and it will never go away, and that's the privilege. And I think you know, what I was taught on this team was to harness that and to turn it into my motivation and my discipline and to enjoy it. Enjoy it while you get it, because the pressure will go away. You won't always be on the national team. It's a shooting star career," Press said. "The tournaments happen in a flash. But while you have the honor of bearing the weight of so many people in this country's hopes and dreams and joy on their Sundays. It's a really special thing, and I know she'll do us all proud."

Press was also reflective of Rodman's moment being representative of the larger fight for equity her generation spent years advocating for.  

"Trinity is having a moment. She's having very good week, and I think we're all really proud of her, and in a lot of ways, she does represent sort of the next phase, the next generation, in a big way, like her personally," she said. "So much of what we all did as leaders and players on this team was try to create a reality like the one that she has today, where she gets to be her full self and her big personality and make the money that she deserves and earns."

Rodman's decision to stay and play in the NWSL with the Washington Spirit, despite enticing offers from top European clubs, is a culturally significant moment in itself. Though many players dream of playing overseas for the experience, Rodman's new contract challenges the notion that playing in Europe shouldn't define success in isolation. As a vibrant face of the league, her decision to stay will influence other players, but also attract core soccer fans and a broader audience.

What's next

The USWNT will head to Santa Barbara to take on Chile Tuesday and close out their January camps. It'll be another opportunity for Rodman, along with Claire Hutton and Emily Sams, to continue their leadership tasks from Hayes. When Rodman was subbed off the match against Paraguay, she handed the armband off to Hutton, and the midfielder will get to hang onto it as a keepsake. 

The 20-year-old Hutton says she, Rodman, and Sams have been taking Hayes' advice and making sure to make the most of the opportunity. 

"The biggest thing is connection, both on and off the field," Hutton said. "That's kind of what we try to push ourselves in and become a family. It starts in the meal room. It starts with meetings and just taking time to get to know one another and being able to find those friendships off, which then translate to those connections on. So, I think just taking stride in that, believing in each other and knowing that everybody has the capabilities, everybody has the talents, just leaning into each other and just believing."

In postgame comments, Hayes commented on the captaincy milestones for the players and their ability to embrace the new roles. 

"People like responsibility, so to give them that was only going to add value to their performances, because they care about the team, they care about the crest," Hayes said on the current group of leaders. 

"I think Trin did a great job of ensuring we carry on our customs and our traditions, and by scoring a goal and signing off like that is always great for the fans. She knows how important it is to produce for our fans, and I think for Claire, I think she's a future captain in the making, without question. So, what a great, what a great learning moment for her to have that situation with all of her peers coming onto the pitch."