Trinity Rodman has signed a new three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, officially making her the highest-paid female soccer player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This development comes as she joins the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) camp ahead of their exhibition match against Paraguay on March 16, 2024. Rodman previously entered the camp with uncertainty, listed as “unattached” due to her contract’s expiration at the end of last season.
Reflecting on her unique situation, Rodman stated, “I never thought I’d be in a national (team) camp with no contracts signed. That was very weird for me.” The signing of her contract on March 14, 2024, has allowed Rodman to shift her focus back to the field. “I’m very happy now and I can finally just put my head down and know that I’m staying with the Spirit and can focus on the season,” she added.
Leadership Role Ahead of Match
Rodman, a Newport Beach native, will captain the USWNT against Paraguay at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Head coach Emma Hayes announced her as captain for the match, emphasizing the importance of leadership in the team. “I spoke with Trin at the beginning of camp to tell her she’d be the captain in the first game,” Hayes explained. “One of the things I spoke to her about is transferring those values and customs around our culture, so that we can steer everybody in the direction that we want.”
Despite her recent absence from the national team, having only made one appearance since the U.S. Olympic victory on August 10, 2024, Rodman is eager to reconnect with her teammates. “Obviously, I haven’t been in a camp for almost a year, so I have to like kind of relearn everything that I missed, which has been an overload,” she mentioned. “But I’m feeling good, I’m feeling happy. Very blessed to be in this situation and to have that armband is an honor in itself.”
Building Team Cohesion
With a roster consisting entirely of players from NWSL teams, Hayes has highlighted the development opportunities this camp presents. While acknowledging the team lacks regular competitive experience together, she remains optimistic about their potential. “Yes, we have a much different group than we would ordinarily have, but what a great development opportunity for so many of them,” Hayes noted.
Rodman is focused on fostering connections among players, especially given the absence of experienced leaders. “I’m just trying to do my best at kind of connecting all of the players because there’s a lack of connection,” she explained. “Emma was just kind of telling me to connect with the players, have those conversations. If you see somebody’s kind of overwhelmed or struggling, give attention to that and kind of relate.”
The match against Paraguay is set for March 16, 2024, at 14:30 local time. Fans can tune in via TNT and truTV to witness Rodman’s leadership debut as captain and the team’s efforts to build chemistry ahead of future competitions. As the USWNT prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the SheBelieves Cup and the quest for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the emphasis on teamwork and development remains paramount.
