United States forward Trinity Rodman scored for the second straight match during a 5-0 victory over Chile at Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium on Tuesday, where she participated in a popular goal celebration dance alongside head coach Emma Hayes.
Rodman’s goal contributed to the dominant outcome, which also featured the first international goals from Croix Bethune, Jameese Joseph, and Emily Sams, allowing the USWNT to extend their winning streak to six matches.
“She said, you are doing it tonight,” Hayes remarked post-match to TNT Sports regarding Rodman’s encouragement for her to celebrate if she scored.
“I thought [later during the match], 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. I was dying. But listen, these players keep me young. I’m not complaining,” the coach said with a laugh.
Hit the celly 💃 pic.twitter.com/yIjnynbaD8
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 28, 2026
Prior to Rodman’s entry in the 64th minute, the USWNT had already established a 4-0 lead with goals from Bethune, Joseph, Sams, and Emma Sears. Following a 6-0 win against Paraguay over the weekend, Hayes opted for a new starting lineup that averaged 5.2 national team appearances, the lowest for their XI since 2001.
“I’m proud of them, I am. I always say this, I’m not watching the opponent. I’m watching us. I’m watching each and every one of them execute the roles we’re asking them to fulfill,” Hayes stated. “I told them before the game, some of you will compete for 2027, some [20]28, some [20]31 but these are the valuable experiences I hope that we can add to your player development pathways.”
Regarding the 23-year-old Rodman, who recently captained the national team against Paraguay, Hayes expressed admiration for the player who has brought “joy” to the camp and the fanbase.
“I’ve learned over the course of my career that you can have many things all at once. I can be demanding, I could have high standards, but I also can smile and have a good time,” the coach explained.
“I think you have to know when to switch on which one, but people like Trin, you know, you could hear it in the reception she got when she came on. She brings a joy, not just to our play, but for our fans, and she’s an exceptional football player, but she’s also a fantastic person.”
Heading into both of the January matches, Rodman made headlines after securing a deal last week with the Washington Spirit, making her the highest-paid NWSL player in history.
As for the overall USWNT roster, Hayes emphasized that her message to the group is that there is now a broader pool of players competing for national team selections.
“There’s competition for places, and everything you do matters, and it’s not a shoe-in for anyone,” the coach remarked.
With European-based players still in their season, January’s roster consisted entirely of NWSL representatives. Gotham FC, currently in London for the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, also did not have any call-ups.
Looking ahead, Hayes will now prepare for March’s SheBelieves Cup, before planning for qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
