USWNT Roster Update: Trinity Rodman’s Return and Leadership Development Ahead of Key Tournaments

The recent roster announcement highlights the return of Trinity Rodman, who made only one appearance for the USWNT in 2025 and had not played since the gold medal victory at the 2024 Olympics. Rodman was included in Hayes’ January camp roster, albeit listed as “unattached” due to her free agency status.

Rodman has been a focal point in discussions about the National Women’s Soccer League’s newly implemented “High Impact Player” rule, which aims to retain top domestic talent. However, her immediate plans for 2026 remain uncertain as she explores opportunities overseas.

In a press conference following the roster announcement, Hayes faced questions about Rodman’s situation. “I know she has been working hard in the offseason to enhance her resiliency and robustness,” Hayes commented. “Regarding her free agency, we haven’t discussed it yet… when Trin has something to share, she will. As of now, I don’t have any updates.”

Hayes also addressed Rodman’s health, noting that she has been dealing with a chronic back injury. “I haven’t seen Trin train or play recently, but I did see her racing against Ben Shelton on the tennis court the other day,” she joked, demonstrating her protective yet trusting approach toward her players.

With the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup approaching, Hayes stated that this window serves as the “last opportunity” to evaluate new talent before the tournament cycle begins. Following the January camp, which includes matches against Paraguay and Chile, the team will prepare for the SheBelieves Cup, seen by Hayes as a pivotal moment for establishing a core group for the World Cup.

“Going into SheBelieves, the roster will be streamlined,” Hayes confirmed. “From February onward, I will select the strongest possible rosters.”

The SheBelieves Cup, now in its 11th year, will take place in early March. Hayes views the January camp as an essential opportunity for nurturing leadership within a younger cohort. “This is a great chance to cultivate the next generation of leaders,” she stated, acknowledging that decisions on leadership roles are still forthcoming.

Selecting players for the camp, especially during a FIFA window, presents unique challenges. Hayes remarked, “You can only pick the players that are available.” Unlike last year’s camp, which focused solely on up-and-coming prospects, this year features two matches and draws heavily on talent from the Under-23 team.

Hayes highlighted the impact of players like Riley Jackson and Maddie Dahlien from the youth national team system, emphasizing the opportunity presented by the absence of European-based and Gotham FC players. “This situation allows us to evaluate players who might not have had exposure otherwise,” she noted.

The January camp also serves as a platform to assess potential successors for the No. 10 position, traditionally a strong area for the USWNT. With key players unavailable, Hayes brought in alternatives capable of filling this role. Among them are 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune, young talent Riley Jackson, and veteran Lo’eau LaBonta.

This camp represents a significant opportunity for Bethune to reaffirm her position. Having dealt with injuries and inconsistencies, she aims to secure a spot in the No. 10 conversation moving forward.

With Alyssa Naeher retiring from international duty, the question of who will take the long-term No. 1 goalkeeper position has emerged. Hayes has been assessing the entire goalkeeping pool over the past year and identified Claudia Dickey and Phallon Tullis-Joyce as her top choices, despite Tullis-Joyce not being part of this camp due to club commitments.

“Claudia’s in a strong position, and both she and Phallon have received substantial playing time during this evaluation period,” Hayes said. Dickey is joined in camp by Mandy McGlynn and Jordan Silkowitz, collectively holding a modest number of international caps but representing the future of the USWNT’s goalkeeping staff.