Meet Olympian Trinity Rodman, the Soccer Star Leading Team USA Back to the Semis

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.

So it wasn’t that shocking when, instead of returning to college, she went pro in 2021. The Washington Spirit used their No. 2 pick to select her. At the time, she was the youngest player ever drafted at age 18 and eight months. (That honor now rests with Alyssa Thompson, who was drafted by Angel City FC this year at age 18 and two months.)

Her rookie year was a success, to say the least. She started 22 of 25 games and scored seven goals en route to the Spirit’s first league title (and also assisted Kelley O’Hara with the winning overtime goal in the championship game). Unsurprisingly, she was named both the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year and the US Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.

4. Rodman was still a teenager when she made her international senior team debut.

While playing for Washington, Rodman also attended her first camp for the USWNT (the senior national team) in January 2022 and was then named to the roster for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup. At age 19, she came on in the second half of the USWNT’s game against the Czech Republic. And on April 12, 2022, she came into a friendly against Uzbekistan and scored her first international goal.

5. In her first USWNT start, she scored a goal—or did she?

Rodman’s first international start on the senior team was in a friendly against England, at Wembley Stadium, on October 7 of the same year. In front of a roaring crowd of almost 77,000 fans, she scored what appeared to be a game-tying goal, firing a pass from Sophia Smith directly into the back of the net.

But not long after the jubilant team group hug, officials called the goal back. Video assistant referee (VAR) review called Smith for an offsides violation. This wasn’t without controversy—many of the sport’s stars, including Morgan, questioned the call on Twitter—but England still won 2-1.

6. Children’s book author is yet another title on her resume.

Rodman says she’s always been creative, and art was her favorite subject in school. Her vision and talent led her to collaborate with Adidas on a children’s book, Wake Up and Kick It with Trinity Rodman, published in 2022.

The book details her early days in the sport and the dedication it took to overcome obstacles and pursue her passion. “I’m excited for this book to inspire the next generation to go out and achieve their goals and dreams, proving that nothing is out of reach if you are willing to work for it,” she said upon its release.

7. Her boyfriend is also named Trinity.

This past May, Rodman hard-launched a new relationship in an Insta post with a clever caption: “Trinity squared.” The lucky guy is Trinity Benson, a Texas native and East Central University grad who’s now an undrafted free agent in the NFL, as People reports. (His comment in a reply? “My treacherous lil’ twin.”)

Benson is a wide receiver who’s played for the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and the practice squad for the Cleveland Browns. While his own athletic future is uncertain, he’s lovingly cheering his girlfriend—in a story posted after her Olympic goal, he wrote, “Her. Point Blank Period.”

8. Soccer is her main sport, but she’s been known to pick up a paddle, too.

One of Rodman’s Spirit teammates got her into pickleball last year, and she quickly became obsessed. Sometimes she’ll play two hours on her off days, she told Forbes last fall.

While it’s partially a hobby that gets her mind off the pressure of soccer, it also benefits her lateral movements on the pitch, she said. “I think it definitely helps with the cuts and turns, and helps you get and keep a certain amount of agility,” she said.

9. You can watch her—and her USWNT teammates—in action again this upcoming week.

Team USA’s first match of the semi-final round is August 6, against Germany. If they win, they’ll play either Brazil or Spain for the gold on August 10. Otherwise, they’ll compete for bronze on August 9.

SELF is your one-click source for all things Summer Olympics. Read our latest coverage of the Paris Games here.

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