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Player Analysis

Trinity Rodman, Forward

Daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. Skipped college and went straight into the NWSL at 18, the youngest player ever drafted. Has become the focal point of the US national team's next generation.

Career goals 55+
USA caps 40+
Olympic gold 1 (2024)
NWSL Rookie of Year 2021
NWSL Championship 1 (2021)
Position Forward
Training style

Built around explosive athletic gifts and modern strength + speed work. Rodman's training reputation is for being one of the most genetically advantaged players in women's football, plus the visible discipline of someone who refused the NCAA route and had to learn pro habits at 18 with no formal scaffolding.

From first kick to today
Trinity Rodman

Trinity Rodman

Forward · Washington Spirit

NBA dad, soccer prodigy. The future of US women's football.

Born 2002, Newport Beach, California
Country USA
Instagram @trinity_rodman Club Washington Spirit
The Journey

From first kick to today

The moments and decisions that shaped Rodman’s career.

  1. Newport Beach youth

    Played in the Newport Beach youth setup from age 4. Mother Michelle Moyer raised her almost entirely as a single mother. NBA father Dennis Rodman was largely absent.

    Key point
    Mother-led upbringing. Football as identity from age 4.
    Interesting fact
    Her mother Michelle worked multiple jobs to fund Trinity's football. Trinity has said in interviews that her mother is 'the only person who watched me at every age, every level, every team'. She has dedicated public moments to her mother repeatedly.
    What to copy
    The single parent who shows up is the parent who matters. Honour them publicly.
    Sources Players' Tribune: Rodman essay

  2. So Cal Blues (ECNL)

    Joined the Southern California Blues in the Elite Clubs National League at 11. The most competitive girls' youth circuit in the US. Played up an age group consistently.

    Key point
    Played up an age group from u12. The pattern of being the youngest started early.
    Interesting fact
    Her So Cal Blues coach Glenn Wilkinson reportedly told her at 13: 'You're the most athletic kid I've ever coached, but the second-most determined. Your mother is the most determined'. Trinity has said that line shaped her self-image.
    What to copy
    What a coach says at 13 sticks. Listen carefully.
    Sources ECNL records archive

  3. USWNT youth call-up

    Called up to the USA u15 national team at 14. The youngest player ever in a USWNT youth setup at that age.

    Key point
    USA national team call-up at 14. Set a national record.
    Interesting fact
    She did not meet her father Dennis until she was 12. Dennis arrived unannounced at one of her matches in 2014. She has said in interviews that the visit was 'confusing more than anything'.
    What to copy
    Family complications don't disqualify a career. Many elite players carry similar stories.
    Sources US Soccer youth archive

  4. Washington State commit

    Verbally committed to play NCAA football at Washington State at 16. Spent two years preparing for the college route, then changed her mind in 2020 due to COVID.

    Key point
    Originally committed to NCAA. COVID changed the plan.
    Interesting fact
    When the NCAA cancelled the 2020 season due to COVID, Rodman pivoted to professional football within weeks. Her NCAA coach at Washington State has said she 'lost the most talented player I never coached'.
    What to copy
    When the world changes, change with it. The plan from age 16 is not the plan at 18.
    Sources Washington State Cougars archive

  5. NWSL draft, second pick

    Drafted second overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft by Washington Spirit. The youngest player ever drafted in NWSL history. Skipped the NCAA pathway entirely.

    Key point
    Youngest NWSL draft pick ever, only the second American woman to skip college for the NWSL.
    Interesting fact
    Her NWSL draft photo went viral because she chose to wear her mother's jacket from her own college years to the ceremony. The Players' Tribune later wrote that 'no draftee has ever made a more deliberate sartorial statement to the camera'.
    What to copy
    Use your wardrobe to make your story visible. Symbols matter on the days the cameras are pointed at you.
    Sources NWSL draft archive

  6. NWSL Rookie of the Year

    Won the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year, the youngest ever. Washington Spirit won the NWSL Championship in her rookie year. Played at 19 with the composure of a 25-year-old.

    Key point
    Rookie of the Year + NWSL champion in same season, at 19.
    Interesting fact
    She paid for her mother Michelle to fly to every Spirit playoff match. Michelle had not flown in 4 years before that season. Trinity has said the moment her mother walked into the championship-winning dressing room is 'the only memory I want from that whole year'.
    What to copy
    When the money arrives, the first cheque is for the family. Make it count.
    Sources NWSL records archive

  7. World Cup squad

    Made the USA squad for the 2023 World Cup at 20. USA exited in the round of 16, the country's worst-ever finish. Rodman scored once in the tournament.

    Key point
    World Cup squad at 20. Difficult tournament for the team, but personally she emerged as a future leader.
    Interesting fact
    After the round-of-16 loss to Sweden, Rodman was the first USA player to publicly own the team's failure. Her short Instagram post (which apologised to the fans by name) was viewed over 12 million times.
    What to copy
    When the team loses, the leaders speak first, not last. Volunteer to take the heat.
    Sources FIFA archive: 2023 R16

  8. Olympic gold

    Played a key role in USA's gold medal at Paris 2024. Scored in the QF against Japan. The biggest tournament win for USWNT since 2019.

    Key point
    Olympic gold at 22. The new generation's first major title.
    Interesting fact
    Her gold-medal celebration on the pitch was a peace sign held up to the camera, the same gesture her father Dennis Rodman made famous in his NBA championship years. She has said the gesture was deliberate, an acknowledgement of the father she has been working to reconcile with.
    What to copy
    Family complications can be processed publicly. The processing is part of the legacy.
    Sources Olympics archive: Paris 2024
Club History

Where Rodman has played

Each move is a decision. The pattern is the lesson.

  1. S
    2014 to 2020

    So Cal Blues (ECNL)

    11 to 17
  2. Washington Spirit
    2021 to present

    Washington Spirit

    18+
Daily Training

How Rodman trains

Five pillars he keeps consistent across the week. Click each to expand.

Diet USWNT-designed structure. ~3,200 kcal in season. Lean protein, slow carbs, lots of vegetables, no fizzy drinks since age 12. Has spoken about removing sugar entirely after a difficult 2022 season.
  • Protein 32%
  • Carbs 50%
  • Fat 18%

Some of the foods Rodman eats most. Hover for protein / carb / fat (per 100g).

Grilled chicken
Brown rice
Sweet potato
Salmon
Eggs
Greek yoghurt
Spinach
Avocado
Almonds
Bananas
Grilled chicken
Brown rice
Sweet potato
Salmon
Eggs
Greek yoghurt
Spinach
Avocado
Almonds
Bananas
Sources
Sleep & health 9 hours overnight. Bedtime by 10pm. Has spoken about how the post-college skip required her to learn pro routines that her NCAA peers learn by 22.

9 hours overnight. Bedtime by 10pm. Has spoken about how the post-college skip required her to learn pro routines that her NCAA peers learn by 22.

Sources
Strength training 4 sessions per week. Heavier than most NWSL attackers. Power cleans (60kg+), squats, single-leg work, sprint mechanics. Holds 65 kg lean.

4 sessions per week. Heavier than most NWSL attackers. Power cleans (60kg+), squats, single-leg work, sprint mechanics. Holds 65 kg lean.

Sources
Pitch work Daily 1v1 dribble drills + sprint mechanics with a track coach twice weekly. The combination of speed and dribble carry is her signature.

Daily 1v1 dribble drills + sprint mechanics with a track coach twice weekly. The combination of speed and dribble carry is her signature.

Sources
Recovery Sports psychologist weekly. Has been open about therapy regarding her relationship with her father Dennis Rodman, who was largely absent from her childhood. Daily mobility, contrast showers, weekly massage.

Sports psychologist weekly. Has been open about therapy regarding her relationship with her father Dennis Rodman, who was largely absent from her childhood. Daily mobility, contrast showers, weekly massage.

Sources

A day in the life

In-season weekday. The discipline, hour by hour.

  1. 07:30 wake Wake + glass of water
  2. 08:00 diet Eggs, oats, banana
  3. 09:30 wake Drive to Washington training base
  4. 10:00 pitch Sprint mechanics with track coach
  5. 11:00 pitch Team training
  6. 13:00 diet Lunch: chicken, rice, vegetables
  7. 14:00 sleep Nap (~60 min)
  8. 15:30 pitch 1v1 dribble drills
  9. 17:00 strength Strength session (power cleans)
  10. 18:30 recovery Therapy session (weekly)
  11. 20:00 diet Dinner: salmon, sweet potato, greens
  12. 22:00 sleep Lights out
Skills Over Time

Rodman’s game, year by year

Slide through the career. The shape changes, power up, raw pace down, mentality climbing.

    20212022202320242025
    Sources FIFA EA SPORTS player ratingsWhoScored advanced metrics
    What young players can copy

    From Rodman’s playbook to ours

    Five lessons from the youngest NWSL draft pick ever, who skipped college and made it as the daughter of an NBA Hall of Famer.

    Pitch work 01

    Sprint mechanics, not just sprinting

    Rodman trains sprint mechanics twice a week with a track coach. Knee drive, arm rhythm, stride frequency. Most footballers skip this. Rodman doesn't.

    The Matico approach

    Our u11+ conditioning blocks include a 10 minute sprint mechanics drill, run by a UKA-qualified sprints coach who visits the Development Centre monthly.

    Strength 02

    Power cleans from u15

    Rodman's gym work includes power cleans (60kg+), squats, single-leg loading. The plyometric base for her famous burst.

    The Matico approach

    Our u14+ strength curriculum includes loaded explosive work from u15 onwards. Bodyweight first, banded later.

    Sleep 03

    Pro routines from 18

    Rodman skipped the NCAA structure. She had to learn pro sleep, nutrition, and recovery routines from 18 with no formal scaffolding.

    The Matico approach

    Our parent handbook recommends building pro routines from u11. The earlier they're habit, the easier the transition to senior football.

    Diet 04

    No fizzy drinks since 12

    She has not had a fizzy drink since age 12. Sugar removed entirely after 2022. Lean protein, slow carbs, vegetables.

    The Matico approach

    Our parent handbook prohibits fizzy drinks at any Matico programme. We give parents the script for the conversation.

    Recovery 05

    Therapy is part of recovery

    She sees a sports psychologist weekly. Has been open about working through her relationship with her father.

    The Matico approach

    We program a weekly mental-skills session into our u14+ Development Centre cycle.

    Book a free Development Centre session

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