Trinity Rodman captains USWNT after signing record Washington Spirit deal

Goal reports Trinity Rodman wore the USWNT armband for the first time while captaining the U.S. against Paraguay, coming shortly after signing a landmark Washington Spirit contract at the end of January that made her the highest-paid woman’s soccer player. At 23, Rodman has built a rare resume for her generation: drafted No.

2 overall by the Spirit in the 2021 NWSL Draft, NWSL Rookie of the Year and an NWSL champion in her debut season, and an Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Games. She remains a cornerstone of the Spirit’s attack and part of the “Triple Espresso” forward line alongside Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson.

The contract was followed two days later by Rodman taking the field as captain and scoring, a moment she said felt like a release. Speaking at NWSL Media Day in Los Angeles, she pushed back on assumptions about her leadership style: "I think there's just this assumption that I only know how to lead by being funny and like dancing and running my butt off, but I do speak." Rodman described herself as a "young veteran" in a squad that entered January camp with her as the most tenured player—she had 47 caps at the start of camp—and has continued to lead by reassuring newcomers.

After featuring in a match against Chile, she now has 49 caps and 13 international goals.

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