LEESBURG, Va. — Trinity Rodman is undoubtedly in a great place these days.
Her contract saga in the National Women’s Soccer League concluded last month with a lucrative three-year deal. After battling through a sprained knee and chronic back pain, she has fully recovered.
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In her eagerly anticipated comeback with the U.S. women’s national team, she donned the captain’s armband and scored twice within days. As expected, she was called up by U.S. coach Emma Hayes for the annual SheBelieves Cup, which will serve as a crucial test for the team leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
In a light-hearted personal note, the schedule for the Washington Spirit’s training camp allowed Rodman to attend her boyfriend Ben Shelton’s tennis tournament in the Greater Dallas area last weekend.
“It was amazing that he won while I was off,” she said with a smile Tuesday after Spirit practice in suburban D.C. “I’m really happy.”
At 23, the forward is gearing up for her sixth professional season — and her fifth with the national team — feeling happy, healthy, and eager. Rodman has become the face of her club, her league, and a rising representative for U.S. soccer players, both men and women.
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Given her significance, both the Spirit and NWSL not only wanted to retain her but felt they needed to. Despite having opportunities to take her talents abroad, Rodman expressed her desire to continue building her legacy in Washington.
With a solid contract, renewed health, and unfinished goals with Washington, Trinity Rodman is in her ideal spot.
(Sam Hodde via Getty Images)
Rodman admitted that there were moments of doubt before she signed her three-year deal, reportedly worth $2 million annually — making her the highest-paid player in women’s soccer globally.
“I definitely have phases where I think, ‘Maybe I should do something different, try something new,’” she shared.
However, she also noted the importance of finding stability. “Sometimes I feel I need to be in a comfortable situation in the U.S.”
On the other hand, she has found herself torn, oscillating between excitement for new opportunities and a desire for stability. “I’ve considered going overseas multiple times, but I’ve come back to the idea that I prefer to fulfill my ambitions here in D.C. first.”
It makes sense; she still has unfinished business. A rookie in 2021, she helped the Spirit clinch the championship, but has since faced disappointment in the last two finals.
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“We have some redeeming to do,” she stated.
Spirit coach Adrián González remarked on Rodman’s positive energy during training, emphasizing how much the team valued her presence. “We are thrilled she’s staying with us,” he said. “Her return indicates we’re on the right path at [the] Washington Spirit. To continue evolving as a league, we need to keep our top players, and she is definitely one of them.”
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“Having players like her is really beneficial for the fans, the team, and soccer lovers across the country,” he added.
With her contract situation resolved, Rodman is focused on having a distraction-free season—unlike 2025, when injuries and uncertainty affected her performance.
“I’m just motivated to be on the field as much as possible,” said Rodman, who played in only 15 of 26 NWSL regular-season matches last year, along with two playoff games and one national friendly. “I felt great in national team camp and have been logging many minutes in preseason.”
Rodman will continue her training with the Spirit before rejoining the national team for the SheBelieves Cup from March 1-7. The Spirit’s NWSL opener is against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field on March 13.
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“Our team has plenty to showcase, and there’s a lot of growth to be had with so many new faces this year,” she said. “Building connections on the field will be exciting.”
Rodman will no longer team up with U.S. teammate Croix Bethune, who was traded to the Kansas City Current last week after requesting a move.
“I was really bummed about Croix. I can’t deny that,” Rodman admitted. “We’re very close friends, so I felt sad about that. But she has to do what’s best for her.”
“Unfortunately, Kansas City,” Rodman joked about last season’s top team in the NWSL. “She’ll thrive anywhere she goes.”
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As the season kicks off, Rodman will find her schedule less flexible. After training in Florida, she made her way to Texas to support Shelton in his push for a fourth title.
“This is the second tournament where my girlfriend was there for his semifinal, and I’m 2-0 in that scenario, so Happy Valentine’s Day!” he joked.
From the stands, Rodman encouraged Shelton to celebrate with a dance after his win, much like she had playfully done with Emma Hayes earlier.
“We support each other but we also keep it realistic to avoid exhaustion,” she explained. “I try to be there for the big moments, and I’m glad I made it to Dallas.”
While Shelton travels the world for his career, Rodman is set to remain in the U.S. for hers, ready to make her mark with a new contract and a promising year ahead.