A day after , Trinity Rodman on Friday collected one other notable merchandise: the U.S. captain’s armband.
Coach Emma Hayes introduced the 23-year-old ahead will captain the second-ranked nationwide workforce for the primary time, in Saturday’s pleasant in opposition to No. 46 Paraguay in Carson, California.
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Hayes mentioned she knowledgeable Rodman of her choice earlier than coaching camp opened this week at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park. Rodman is, in spite of everything, probably the most skilled participant (47 caps) in a camp lacking a number of regulars as a result of it fell outdoors an official FIFA worldwide window.
Hayes is anticipated to call another person as captain for Tuesday’s pleasant in opposition to No. 47 Chile in Santa Barbara, California. Midfielder Lindsey Horan, who isn’t on this camp, is the standard captain.
In Rodman, Hayes mentioned she has seen a blooming maturity. Rodman displayed it Thursday throughout a press convention in Los Angeles saying her three-year contract with the Washington Spirit — a deal that can hold her within the U.S. league as a substitute of heading abroad and reportedly make her the highest-paid ladies’s participant on the planet.
“I have not instructed her this but, nevertheless it’s like, ‘You understand what? You are actually rising up,’” Hayes mentioned at her personal press convention Friday.
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Initially of camp, “We spoke in regards to the expectations and all of the little particulars we have been in search of,” Hayes added. “When there’s an absence of a lot management right here, how are you transferring these values and people customs somewhat bit round our tradition so we will steer everyone within the course we wish?”
Trinity Rodman re-signs together with her membership workforce, the Washington Spirit, alongside membership proprietor Michele Kang throughout a press convention at BMO Stadium on Jan. 22, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Brad Smith/ISI Images/USSF through Getty Photographs)
When Rodman joined the nationwide workforce in 2022, veterans reminiscent of Heaps, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe have been the voices of management and motivation. Final 12 months, Naomi Girma, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett stepped into the captain’s position when Heaps wasn’t on the sector.
Now, with preparations for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics ramping up, Hayes is trying to youthful gamers to additionally set the instance. Claire Hutton, 20, and Emily Sams, 26, are additionally excessive on the checklist, Hayes mentioned.
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Due to again and knee accidents, Rodman has not performed for the nationwide workforce since an April pleasant in opposition to Brazil — her solely look of the 12 months. Weeks after , Rodman grew to become a free agent. She and the Spirit finalized the brand new deal this week.
“Being settled, for any participant, actually issues,” Hayes mentioned. “Having that readability now, it is about, ‘OK, how do you accomplish your subsequent set of targets, no matter they’re?’ And [she] can concentrate on that relatively than the dialog round her contract scenario.”
Rodman “does care in regards to the influence of the sport past herself,” Hayes added. “She does respect being a task mannequin for the game, and he or she needs to do this in America. And he or she needs to raise the NWSL and he or she acknowledges that being within the highlight comes with that.”
Hayes — a London native who has been concerned in American soccer for many years — known as Rodman’s contract a “monumental achievement for the NWSL. It means it’s a league that desires to retain its high expertise. … Figuring out she’s going to be settled and blissful in Washington goes to be a win for the U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce as a result of, as I’ve at all times mentioned, happiness and what they need is of the best order to me.”
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Rodman is the second distinguished U.S. participant in latest weeks to decide on the NWSL. this summer time after her 4 ½-year spell with French energy Lyonnes ends.
These choices bucked the pattern, although, as a number of U.S. gamers have bolted overseas: Sam Coffey final week left the Portland Thorns for Manchester Metropolis and final 12 months Girma and Alyssa Thompson moved to Chelsea from the San Diego Wave and Angel Metropolis FC, respectively.
“Once I see a landmark second like yesterday, after all, I am blissful for Trin,” Hayes mentioned, “however I am blissful for the entire as a result of it means persons are investing [in players] and I am at all times about let’s hold elevating the bar.”
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With a younger and largely untested roster, Hayes mentioned she is going to use two completely different beginning lineups for the friendlies on this camp and make the utmost six subs in every match.
Hayes additionally had future matches on her thoughts. A day earlier than the U.S. Soccer Federation plans to announce particulars about three residence friendlies in April, she inadvertently let slip that eighth-ranked Japan could be the opponent, presumably for all three video games.