Trinity Rodman scores in return as USWNT beats Brazil - ESPN

Trinity Rodman took just five minutes to to make her mark on her long-awaited return to the United States women's national team, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Brazil at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Saturday.

It was Rodman's first game for the USWNT since helping the team claim Olympic gold with victory over Brazil in Paris.

But she showed little sign of the lingering back issues that have kept her on the sidelines for her country in the intervening eight months, as she fired a low shot into the net following a defense-piercing assist from 20-year-old Alyssa Thompson.

Rodman, 22-year-old star and Orange County native, followed the goal by theatrically grabbing her back in a sarcastic celebration that nodded to the issues that have hampered her since her rookie season with the Washington Spirit in 2021.

«It felt amazing, especially in this stadium. It as unreal,» Rodman told TNT Sports.

«But what I've been saying all week was I wanted to be a portable charger on the field, I wanted to be a provider of energy and be able to charge everybody's batteries. So I think I did that pretty well today and obviously to have a goal come with it, an amazing slip ball from Alyssa, was great.»

Despite featuring just five members of the starting lineup that beat the same opponents in Paris, including a defense missing key starters Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson through injury and debutant Phallon Tullis-Joyce in goal, the USWNT was able to keep the Brazilians at bay.

And Emma Hayes' side effectively sealed the win midway through the second half, with captain Lindsey Heaps converting a penalty after 17-year-old substitute Lily Yohannes was fouled in the box.

It was a 16th win in 19 games since Hayes took charge last