Trinity Rodman, Emma Hayes and a viral celebration that sums up US soccer’s new era

Trinity Rodman unleashes the frenzy. These are days of peak anticipation for the United States forward. A few days ago, her new blockbuster contract with Washington Spirit made headlines around the world, placing her among the highest-paid players on the planet. The deal has clearly agreed with Rodman and her form has followed suit.

Already back in camp with the US, she has done nothing but deliver. On Tuesday night she was the standout performer in the national team’s game against Chile. It was a rout for Emma Hayes’ side, capped by a spectacular goal from Rodman. The 23-year-old, deployed on the right wing this time, took a perfectly weighted pass, drove into the box, cut inside and curled a left-footed shot straight into the net.

The young star made a beeline for her coach to celebrate, with Hayes even joining in Rodman’s pre-planned “sexy dexy” dance – much to the surprise and delight of the crowd at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California. The Washington player, who began the friendly on the bench, entered the game in the fourth minute and left her mark just four minutes later.

Four days earlier, against Paraguay, Rodman had started and scored the fourth goal in a 4-0 win for the US. That strike came just hours after news broke of her lucrative contract extension with Washington Spirit, cementing her status as the club’s franchise player.

It is a deal that reflects the meteoric rise of the American star with the club she joined in 2021, after being selected second overall in the draft. Since then, she has grown into one of the best players in the world. Rodman’s youth and upside were qualities Michele Kang – owner of Washington Spirit, Lyon and London City Lionesses – was determined not to let slip away.

Rodman closes out an extraordinary week. At just 23, she is already the leader of the US national team and the centerpiece of her club. Euphoria is running high across the United States with the Brazil World Cup just a year and a half away, where the Americans will aim to unseat Spain and reclaim their place at the top of the world game.

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