American women’s soccer fans could be forgiven for feeling a bit nervous heading into the Paris Games.
Last year, the US National Women’s Team exited the World Cup earlier than ever, not even reaching the quarter-finals following a 5-4 loss to Sweden in the Round of 16. And some of the team’s long-time superstars, including Alex Morgan and now-retired Megan Rapinoe, are missing from this year’s Olympic roster.
But the team has a new coach, Emma Hayes, and lots of young talent—nine players on the 2024 roster are first-time Olympians—that’s been fully on display at the Paris Games. Among the most notable is 22-year-old Trinity Rodman, the pink-braided forward whose incredible extra-time goal against Japan (watch it here) put Team USA ahead 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals. That means they’ll be playing for a medal.
Here are nine things about the Washington Spirit pro you should know before Team USA continues onto the pitch in Paris.
1. Rodman’s dad is a sorta famous athlete, too.
If you thought you recognized her last name, you’re absolutely right. Rodman is the youngest child of Dennis Rodman, the NBA player known for his rebound skills and colorful hair who helped the Chicago Bulls to their second championship three-peat from 1996 to 1998.
Rodman’s mom is Dennis’ third wife, Michelle Moyer, who also had a son with the basketball star (Rodman’s brother, Dennis “DJ” Jr.). While Rodman may have her father to thank for some of her athletic genes, their relationship has been complicated. “We don’t see eye to eye on many things. I go months if not years without his presence or communication,” she wrote on Instagram in 2021, when he surprised her by showing up at one of her games.
Moyer essentially raised Rodman and her brother alone, according to People, and Rodman calls her mom a superhero and “the most amazing woman on this planet.” But she’s inspired by her dad’s athleticism and mentality and has said she learned a lot from his example. When ESPN asked in 2023 if there was anything she’d tell him, she said: “Thank you for teaching me the mistakes that could be made in the spotlight. I think it’s hard to see the downfalls that come with it, along with him not being in my life. But he’s my dad and I love him.”
2. She committed to college—but never played in the NCAA.
Her soccer journey started early. Rodman first began playing at age four, and though she also flirted with basketball, soccer quickly stole her heart, according to NBC Olympics. She grew up in Newport Beach, California, and played nine years on a club team called the SoCal Blues.
After graduating from JSerra Catholic High School, she first committed to UCLA, then de-committed and enrolled at Washington State University (where her brother played collegiate basketball before transferring to USC). But then the COVID-19 pandemic interfered, canceling collegiate sports.
3. Instead, she joined the Washington Spirit as the youngest-ever player drafted to the NWSL.
By 2020, Rodman was already a star on United States youth national teams—she played three matches during the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay and had nine career U-20 international goals.