Earlier this week, Emma Hayes dropped the USWNT’s roster for the upcoming doubleheader against Brazil. And do you know the best part about it? Without any doubt, it has to be the emphatic return of Trinity Rodman. After all, the last time she was seen in field action was for the occasion of the 2024 Paris Olympics. While ardent fans would be hoping to catch the Washington Spirit forward in action finally, Hayes is still finding ways to integrate Rodman back into the team!

Honestly, we don’t blame her. For someone who couldn’t have her star forward at her disposal for more than three windows, she would tend to face such doubts. On top of that, the very player remaining sidelined in between the season due to a back injury from which she recuperated not too long ago—Hayes’ concern is valid.

No wonder the English boss didn’t hesitate to express her concern regarding this issue vocally. “To get (Trinity Rodman) back is really exciting. I do have to urge a bit of caution… it can go from a managed return to play, to too much. So I have to try and find a sweet spot in camp to integrate her back into the team,” said Hayes while addressing her latest roster pick.

Well, part of the concern also stems from not being able to provide Rodman with a familiar environment. For context, the daughter of Dennis Rodman is the only one to represent the self-proclaimed trio called, Triple Espresso. Her attacking partners, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson, are not included in the squad to face Brazil.

Swanson is out due to personal reasons, while Wilson, who announced her pregnancy earlier this month, is sidelined for the time being. So that compels Rodman to find a new attacking connection with those who are a part of the April window. It includes her fellow Spirit teammate Ashley Hatch, KC Current’s Michelle Cooper, and Chelsea’s Catarina Macario. Additional names are Houston Dash’s Yazmeen Ryan, Utah Royals’ Ally Sentnor, and Alyssa Thompson of Angel City FC.

So it would be interesting to see how Hayes utilizes all of her forwards while also keeping Trinity’s factor in mind. Otherwise, it may play on the 22-year-old’s mind, leading her to struggle for some goals. Fortunately, this is exactly what she aims to fix!

Trinity Rodman issues a goal-scoring warning

Part of her absence from the last few windows stems from her injury concerns. Last season, she suffered an unfortunate relapse of her back injury. This made it challenging for the talented winger to focus on both recovery and regaining her goal-scoring form. However, now that she is back in action, the Newport Beach, California native has taken a special vow: “Stay healthy for long.”

“I hate that I’m saying that at 22 but yeah, that’s a big one. I think just consistency and being dangerous in the final third. Always staying consistent with that is going to be huge,” continued the USWNT superstar in an interview with Scripps Networks’ ION host Lisa Carlin. “I know I can score and assist but being able to do it on a consistent basis will be huge.”

Rodman’s last memory of the national team remains notching three goals and an assist in the Paris Olympics. Now that the new season is underway and her injury is fully healed, there are high expectations for her to rediscover her goal-scoring form. Indeed, it would be interesting to see her being able to do that!