Trinity Rodman: 'Ruthless' USWNT expect World Cup three-peat - ESPN

United States women's national team forward Trinity Rodman said the reigning world champions are «ruthless» and expect to win the World Cup this summer for the third time in a row.

The 21-year-old scored both goals as the USWNT secured a 2-0 friendly win over Wales in the team's final tuneup prior to the start of the tournament.

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Rodman will be taking part in her first World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand, and said she is confident the team can claim a third consecutive title.

«My expectations are that we're the most ruthless team, we're never going to give up and we're going to get the title,» she told ESPN's Futbol Americas.

«Obviously the team has changed so much over the last couple of World Cups, even the past couple of months but this team is something special. We want it more than ever so I expect a gold medal.»

The back-to-back World Cup champions face the Netherlands, Portugal and Vietnam in Group E for the tournament that starts on July 20.

Rodman also said there shouldn't be an expectation of the USWNT cruising through the World Cup despite their past success.

«I think with this team that everyone expects success obviously based off the past,» she said. «But there are a lot of new players and a lot of connections that need to be built for the first game so it's just the pressure of doing well. It's a lot harder than people think.

— Rodman gives USWNT new look in attack for World Cup

»[People think] you guys should be blowing these teams out or should be winning and it's a lot harder than that. I think with the diversity and change has been difficult but honestly for me, this is my first