The 2023 Women’s World Cup was a rough tournament for the USWNT. All the expectations were on the team with the United States, heading into the competition with two consecutive crowns to their name. However, things did not go as planned for the Stars & the Stripes, with the team knocked out of the tournament in the Round of 16. The team elimination added fuel to the fire over Megan Rapinoe‘s feud with ex-US President Donald Trump, who blamed Rapinoe for the team’s loss.

Trump was not the only person to question Megan Rapinoe with fans and experts holding her responsible for the team’s defeat. The criticism didn’t come out of thin air as Rapinoe missed the spot kick during the penalties against Sweden that saw Team USA crash out of the World Cup. Many also claimed the senior players on the team had grown a bigger head as they put themselves over the team.

USWNT star Trinity Rodman commented on the criticism of Megan Rapinoe in an interview with Vanity Fair. The player talked about how it felt to hear criticism about the team including the former president as she stated, “I can only speak so much, and it’s hard being a young player. I don’t know the extent of everything, but yeah, I don’t look at it in any type of way. I feel like everyone has their opinion and their right to have that opinion.”

The USWNT has seen a massive change following the exit of Megan Rapinoe and other veterans. With the arrival of Emma Hayes at the helm, things have taken a massive shift, with the squad now more focused on the team as a unit rather than keeping the spotlight on their star players.

Trinity Rodman comments on major change at USWNT following Megan Rapinoe’s exit

The USWNT has undergone significant changes since Emma Hayes arrived. The six-time WSL winner has wasted no time leaving her mark on the team with her selection policy and way of handling her stars. Trinity Rodman commented on the changes within the team following Hayes’ arrival, with the player claiming the team now doesn’t rely on individuals to take them through a game.

Rodman stated, “It’s a little bit more up-front and blunt about what your role is, what our new coach wants us to do. I feel like we’re more connected as a team and we’re working for each other,” she says. “Not that we weren’t before, but I think recently it’s been more of a team effort and not just relying on certain people’s skill sets and magic moments.”

The upcoming month will be a perfect test to see if the USWNT has learned from its mistakes. Emma Hayes and her women are amongst the favorites for the Gold medal, but the team will have to be on top of their game if they want to fulfill those expectations.