The returning winger was the Hollywood headliner but the U.S. had several standout performances in Olympic rematch win over Brazil
Trinity Rodman set off alarm bells last week when she made a confession about the status of her injured back. It was never going to be 100 percent again. This injury was something that would impact her for the rest of her career.
That development made Rodman's resounding return to the USWNT even more impressive. In her first appearance since the 2024 Olympic gold medal game, Rodman looked every bit the player the U.S. women's national team had last year while, more importantly, showing signs that there's still more potential yet to be unlocked.
Rodman stole the show in the 2-0 win, and she did it early. Just five minutes into Saturday's clash with Brazil at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Rodman was slipped in by Alyssa Thompson and she made no mistake. With one little flick of the ball, Rodman scored and, as always, she understood the moment – feigning a back injury before then flicking her hair to the sky to show how little she's personally worried about it all.
"Medical staff was freaking out, but I thought I had to do it," Rodman said with a big smile.
Of course, not everyone was amused.
"I didn't think she was pretending, so I will have a word with her because that's like a cry wolf moment," USWNT coach Emma Hayes said with a grin after the game. "I turned to the physios and I said, 'Her back's hurting,' instantly, and then I realized she was tricking us."
The returning winger had a strong game, for sure, and the pre-game storyline made her the postgame storyline, too.
"I wanted to be a portable charger on the field," Rodman told TNT after the game. "I wanted to be a provider of energy and charge everybody’s batteries. So I think I did that pretty well today, and obviously to have a goal come with it with an amazing little slip ball from Alyssa was great… I was just trying to stay composed. I was very high energy going into this game and I just needed to stay calm."
But the story of this game wasn't just about Rodman, as multiple USWNT stars stepped up against a tough Brazil team. Alyssa Thompson, more than anyone, showed that she's ready for more, earning the assist on Rodman's goal before running circles around Brazil the rest of the night.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce, making her first start for the USWNT in goal, had a memorable performance, inserting herself into a crowded race to be No. 1 in the net. Lily Yohannes won a penalty, Lindsey Heaps confidently converted it, Sam Coffey dealt with a physical midfield – this was a win by committee.
And as was the case in Paris, they prevented Brazil from scoring.
"The shutouts are never overrated," Hayes told her team on the field after the match. "Shutouts are what define us. I know when we play in these games we always want to be sure we’re tough to beat from corners, from set pieces. It was game of 89 re-starts and we dominated in that."
Still, all eyes were on Rodman, and rightfully so. She responded as she tends to do: with ferocity.
“The weak side on the back shoulder is open,” Rodman said of her first goal since the Paris Games. “We’ve gotten it a lot in the pocket and on the turn. So I think no matter what side it is – obviously it’s kind of on my side more of the time – I’m just looking to be on the back shoulder to get those little slip balls or the balls over the top. Just trying to stay calm and a little “beep” and we’re good.”
There's still another game to be played, as these two sides will meet again Tuesday in San Jose. But in many ways, just by seeing Rodman return with this sort of impact, Hayes – whose team lost for the first time in her coaching tenure in the SheBelieves Cup final against Japan in February – will call this a success.
GOAL rates USWNT players from SoFi Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (7/10):
Made some absolutely massive saves to make one hell of a first impression. This was her first cap but, on this evidence, the Manchester United goalkeeper deserves another look – or more.
Crystal Dunn (7/10):
Did some really good work on that left-hand side, particularly when Brazil got forward. Was always calm and composed to help the U.S. get out of trouble.
Emily Sonnett (6/10):
There was a chaotic sequence early as she collided with Tullis-Joyce, much like she did with Jane Campbell in the SheBelieves Cup. She responded well enough, but there were still a few nervy moments from the veteran when Brazil did get forward.
Tara McKeown (6/10):
A big test for the newcomer and, while there were some difficult moments, McKeown didn't look overmatched.
Emily Fox (6/10):
Had a few stretches in which she really had to defend on that left-hand side. Wasn't ever really beaten as she helped hold down the fort on that side.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Sam Coffey (7/10):
When playing a team such as Brazil, you need a strong presence in midfield to help keep the game under control. Coffey did just that, as she usually does.
Lindsey Heaps (7/10):
Really helped the USWNT cope with the physicality of the game before stepping up and burying her chance from the penalty spot. Not a perfect game, but a very useful one from the USWNT captain.
AFPAttack
Alyssa Thompson (8/10):
A top-level dribbler, Thompson's development is all about finding ways to impact the game in the final third. She's done that in the NWSL this season and she did it on Saturday, teeing up Rodman with a fantastic through ball. She then had two late chances, too, showing just how dangerous she can be.
Catarina Macario (6/10):
This wasn't a game that allowed her to showcase her best attributes, but she did well to deliver what the USWNT needed. There were few moments of creative brilliance but several of old-fashioned hold-up play, which is what the USWNT was looking for from her higher up the pitch.
Ally Sentnor (5/10):
Definitely struggled a bit with Brazil's physicality. It'll be a good lesson for her as she looks to build on the hot start to her USWNT career.
Trinity Rodman (8/10):
All it takes is one with her! A good reminder of that fact as she broke through just minutes into her USWNT return, showing that game-changing dynamism that makes her so important to this USWNT group.
AFPSubs & Manager
Lily Yohannes (8/10):
Absolutely changed the game after coming on in the second half. Won the penalty with some veteran guile, despite being just 17, and went on to run the show with her passing. A special talent, one that should almost certainly start on Tuesday.
Michelle Cooper (6/10):
A much-needed boost of physicality and pace as the U.S. looked to close the game in the second half. Had one good chance on goal but rounded the keeper a bit too far wide. Either way, it was easy to see why she was thrown into the match.
Jaedyn Shaw (N/A):
A real sign of the USWNT"s depth that a player like Shaw can come in late with the game in hand.
Ashley Hatch (N/A):
Had one decent chance late, but didn't have too much time to really work.
Yazmeen Ryan (N/A):
She broke through to get a look on goal, but skied it. Her first USWNT goal will have to come another day.
Avery Patterson (N/A):
What a moment for the fullback, who got a late cameo to earn her first cap. "What would your 10-year-old self say?" Hayes asked to her as she was readied to take the pitch. That's what this is all about
Emma Hayes (7/10):
Had a good plan to deal with Brazil and made the right subs to repeat the USWNT's win over Brazil in Paris. Could have maybe gotten that second wave on earlier, but there's always a plan, specifically with another game on Tuesday.
