Following a historic new contract, Trinity Rodman will take the pitch with the U.S. women’s national team on Saturday against Paraguay, wearing the captain’s armband. It’s just another milestone for her to check off in a very busy week for the biggest star in NWSL.

Trinity Rodman emerges as a USWNT celebrity

Rodman is unique in sports, acting as a bona fide cultural celebrity. Her influence comes not just from her skills on the field but also from her role in fashion and pop culture, which captivates young audiences. “I think it’s an opportunity for me, obviously amazing that I could do it and be making this type of money. It’s life-changing,” Rodman stated about her new contract.

Preparing for international play after a year, she acknowledged carrying the burden of making significant decisions regarding her contract while incoming with a leadership mindset. She aims to inspire and raise standards in the league while also engaging with youth, recognizing that personality plays a vital role in attracting fans.

U.S. national team coach Emma Hayes noted Rodman’s maturity during the challenging contract negotiations: “I think Trin has been clear on what she wanted. The conversations her and I probably had is that she does care deeply about the impact of the game beyond herself.”

Rodman adds professional maturity to stardom

As the national team gets ready for the January friendlies, Hayes spoke with Rodman about taking on the captaincy, ultimately awarding her the armband for the match against Paraguay. Rodman leads the current roster with the most appearances (47) and goals (11). “I haven’t been at camp for almost a year, so I have to kind of relearn everything that I missed,” she joked.

Despite her youth, Rodman positions herself as a leader, aiming to connect her teammates as the team evolves. She respects the legacy of former team leaders while bringing her authentic self to the role.