Rodman scores in return as USWNT beats Brazil
Trinity Rodman took just five minutes to to make her mark on her long-awaited return to the United States women’s national team, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Brazil at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Saturday.
It was Rodman’s first game for the USWNT since helping the team claim Olympic gold with victory over Brazil in Paris.
But she showed little sign of the lingering back issues that have kept her on the sidelines for her country in the intervening eight months, as she fired a low shot into the net following a defense-piercing assist from 20-year-old Alyssa Thompson.
Rodman followed the goal by theatrically grabbing her back in a sarcastic celebration that nodded to the issues that have hampered her since her rookie season with the Washington Spirit in 2021.
Despite featuring just five members of the starting lineup that beat the same opponents in Paris, and a defense missing key starters Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson through injury, the USWNT was able to keep the Brazilians at bay.
And Emma Hayes’ side effectively sealed the win midway through the second half, with captain Lindsey Heaps converting a penalty after 17-year-old substitute Lily Yohannes was fouled in the box.
It was a 16th win in 19 games since Hayes took charge last year and delighted a crowd of 32,303 that were in attendance for what was the first-ever professional women’s sports event at the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
