Trinity Rodman, forward for the United States, netted a goal in her second consecutive match during a commanding 5-0 victory against Chile on Tuesday at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California. The match featured Rodman in a playful goal celebration dance with coach Emma Hayes that quickly went viral.
Rodman’s contribution secured the decisive win, which also marked the first international goals for teammates Croix Bethune, Jameese Joseph, and Emily Sams. With this victory, the U.S. women’s national soccer team has extended their winning streak to six matches.
In a postgame interview with TNT Sports, Hayes recounted Rodman’s eagerness to celebrate their success together: “She said, ‘You are doing it tonight,'” referring to her encouragement for Hayes to join in the celebration if she scored.
Sharing her thoughts on the game, Hayes mentioned, “I thought, you know what? The game’s comfortable. Trin’s not going to score tonight. It’s a crowded box, and the minute she chopped inside, if you’d have seen, if you had panned towards me prior to that, my head was in my hands. I was dying. But listen, these players keep me young. I’m not complaining,” she said with a chuckle.
Hit the celly 💃 pic.twitter.com/yIjnynbaD8
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 28, 2026
Prior to Rodman’s entrance in the 64th minute, the U.S. had already established a 4-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Bethune, Joseph, Sams, and Emma Sears. Following their recent 6-0 win over Paraguay, Hayes opted for a new lineup with an average of just 5.2 national team appearances, the lowest for the U.S. since 2001.
“I’m proud of them, I really am. I always say, I’m not focused on the opponent; I’m observing us. I watch each player execute the roles we assign them,” Hayes remarked. “Before the game, I told them that some of you will compete for 2027, some for 2028, some for 2031, but these valuable experiences contribute to your player development pathways.”
Regarding the impressive 23-year-old Rodman, who recently led the national team against Paraguay, Hayes commended her ability to bring “joy” to the team and fans alike.
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that you can hold high standards while also having fun,” Hayes explained. “You need to know when to switch between the two modes, but players like Trin bring joy not just to our performance but also to our supporters. She’s an exceptional football player and a wonderful person.”
Heading into January’s matches, Rodman made headlines by signing a landmark deal with the Washington Spirit, making her the highest-paid player in NWSL history.
As for the overall squad, Hayes emphasized that there is now fierce competition for national team spots. “There’s competition for places, every action you take counts, and no spot is guaranteed,” she asserted.
Since European-based players remain active in their seasons, January’s roster exclusively featured NWSL players, with Gotham FC not contributing any call-ups while competing in London for the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Looking ahead, Hayes is preparing for the March SheBelieves Cup and strategizing for qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.