Trinity Rodman scores twice, USWNT beats Wales in send-off

(Photo credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports)

Thanks to two goals from Trinity Rodman, the US Women’s National Team beat Wales 2-0 in a friendly in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday.

Officially, the match was the USWNT’s send-off match before the team heads to Australia and New Zealand as two-time defending champions at the Women’s World Cup.

Unofficially, it marked the beginning of a farewell tour for standout forward Megan Rapinoe. She announced on Saturday that she will retire at the end of the fall National Women’s Soccer League season.

The 38-year-old Rapinoe didn’t play against Wales, but it didn’t matter to a sold-out crowd of more than 18,000, as she took to the field before the game started. Enthusiastic applause was given to her, showing signs of support.

Rapinoe is a three-time Olympian, a gold medalist in 2012, and will make his fourth World Cup appearance before returning to NWSL team OL Reign. At the 2019 World Cup in France, she equaled the tournament-high six goals and was named the best player.

As for the game, the USA lackluster until Sophia Smith dribbled through the left flank, but scored easily with a pass to an open Rodman in the 76th minute. In the 87th minute Rodman scored with a mighty shot into the top right corner from 20 yards out.

At 21 years and 50 days, she became the youngest USWNT player to score two goals in a game.

The goal for the Americans was to avoid injury. In addition to Rapinoe, World Cup hopes of starting Rose Lovell and Julie Aerts also did not appear, and Rodman was replaced by top scorer Alex Morgan at the start of the second half.

The United States will face Vietnam in Group E on July 22 (9:00 p.m. ET, July 21). The 23-man U.S. women’s squad consists of nine returning from the 2019 World Cup and 14 newcomers.

USWNT is 8-0-0 in 2023 with 19 goals and 1 conceded.

–Field level media