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American womens soccer fans could be forgiven for feeling a bit nervous heading into theParis Games.
Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images
That means theyll be playing for a medal.
Rodmans dad is a sorta famous athlete too.
If you thought you recognized her last name, youre absolutely right.
We dont see eye to eye on many things.
But shes inspired by her dads athleticism and mentality and has said she learned a lot from his example.
But hes my dad and I love him.
She committed to collegebut never played in the NCAA.
Her soccer journey started early.
But then the COVID-19 pandemic interfered, canceling collegiate sports.
Instead, she joined the Washington Spirit as the youngest-ever player drafted to the NWSL.
So it wasnt that shocking when, instead of returning to college,she went proin 2021.
The Washington Spiritused their No.
2 pickto select her.
At the time, she was the youngest player ever drafted at age 18 and eight months.
Her rookie year was a success, to say the least.
Rodman was still a teenager when she made her international senior team debut.
At age 19, she came on in the second half of the USWNTs game against the Czech Republic.
And on April 12, 2022, she came into a friendly againstUzbekistanand scored her first international goal.
In her first USWNT start, she scored a goalor did she?
But not long after the jubilant team group hug, officials called the goal back.
Video assistant referee (VAR) review-called Smith for an offside violation.
Childrens book author is yet another title on her resume.
Rodman says shes always been creative, and art was her favorite subject in school.
Her boyfriend is also named Trinity.
This past May, Rodman hard-launched a new relationship in an Insta post with a clevercaption: Trinity squared.
(Hiscommentin a reply?
My treacherous lil twin.)
Soccer is her main sport, but shes been known to pick up a paddle too.
One of Rodmans Spirit teammates got her intopickleballlast year, and she quickly became obsessed.
Sometimes shell play two hours on her off days, she toldForbeslast fall.
Team USAs first match of the semifinal round is August 6, against Germany.
If they win, theyll play either Brazil or Spain for the gold on August 10.
Otherwise, theyll compete for bronze on August 9.
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