Olympic football: Trinity Rodman's creative flair set to shine on the world stage
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) kicked off their Paris 2024 campaign in style on Thursday (25 July), dispatching Zambia 3-0.
Mallory Swanson’s first-half brace all but sealed the three points for Emma Hayes’s side, but it was Trinity Rodman’s slick opener that earned many of the plaudits.
The 22-year-old deployed her signature move – dubbed the ‘Trin Spin’ – to evade defenders before poking the ball into the back of the net.
"That goal was amazing [and] to get it on that big of a stage was great," Rodman said at full-time.
"Our team started off on the front foot, created a lot of chances, move off each other - I'm really happy about our performance."
While facing one way, the move entails a quick turn of direction, often flicking the ball through the legs of her opponent, leaving defenders flat-footed as she accelerates away.
It is indicative of what the USWNT have been missing of late – a superstar with flare.
While the USA are not, by any means, short of big names, Rodman has seemingly filled the void left by Tobin Heath since her absence on the international stage.
Since debuting for the USWNT in 2008, Heath had been the creative cog pivotal in the U.S.’s back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2015 and 2019, as well as helping them to Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.
One for the tricks and flicks, her flare on the right wing is what has made her a role model for several aspiring footballers, Rodman included.
In an interview with Vogue, she highlighted the USWNT veteran as one of the most influential figures in her growth as a player.
“I specifically always touch on Tobin Heath because I feel like, in her game, she shows a lot of creativity and spunk while also being explosive and fast,” Rodman said.
“You can tell her mind is going a million miles per hour, but when she gets on the ball, everything slows down.
“It’s amazing to watch – she is someone I’ve studied a lot.”
Her words ring true in her game, with the Washington Spirit forward proving to be one of the USA’s biggest threats going forward, able to change a game in the blink of an eye.
Both Rodman and the USWNT are back in action on Sunday (28 July), in a blockbuster clash with Germany.