Trinity Rodman Shakes Up USWNT Return: Star Forward Headlines 2026 January Camp Roster

High-profile forward Trinity Rodman has been named to Emma Hayes’ 26-player United States Women’s National Team roster for the annual January camp in Carson, California, marking her first call-up since April 2025 and signaling a key milestone in her comeback from back and knee injuries. The 23-year-old, currently listed as “unattached,” will headline friendlies against Paraguay on Jan. 24 and Chile on Jan. 27—prime opportunities to prove full fitness before the 2026 SheBelieves Cup and CONCACAF qualifiers. Rodman’s 47 caps and 11 goals make her the most experienced attacker in a camp otherwise brimming with first-timers, including Maddie Dahlien and Reilyn Turner, as Hayes accelerates generational change. Free-agency spotlight Rodman’s presence is bigger than the crest on her jersey. Her expired Washington Spirit contract and stalled $1 million-plus extension request triggered the NWSL’s newly adopted High-Impact Player (HIP) rule, a salary-cap workaround designed to keep marquee talent stateside. While the NWSL Players Association continues to contest the policy, multiple league executives believe Rodman will become the first HIP signing once the rule is finalized—raising speculation of a bidding war involving Angel City FC and the Spirit. Road back to form Since starring in the 2024 Olympic gold-medal run, Rodman’s career has been a roller coaster: a back injury kept her sidelined for nine months, and an October 2025 MCL sprain briefly halted her return to club action. Social-media footage of a recent on-court sprint against tennis star boyfriend Ben Shelton hinted at regained explosiveness, and Hayes confirmed the striker “gave me the thumbs-up” ahead of camp. Fitness staff will nonetheless monitor workload closely, especially with Gotham FC regulars absent because of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup overlap. What Rodman’s revival means 1. Goal drought cure: The USWNT scored only 1.3 goals per match in 2025 friendlies. Rodman’s direct pace and defensive pressing could reignite the front line. 2. Marketing magnet: Rodman’s social reach (2.4 million followers) combined with Dennis Rodman lineage continues to draw crossover audiences, a boon for U.S. Soccer’s new media deal. 3. League leverage: A swift HIP signing might set a seven-figure benchmark for domestic women’s contracts, influencing future negotiations for stars like Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson. Key dates to watch • Jan 24 – USA vs. Paraguay, Dignity Health Sports Park • Jan 27 – USA vs. Chile, Dignity Health Sports Park • Feb 1 – NWSL free-agency window closes (HIP rule expected to be ratified) Bottom line Trinity Rodman’s comeback intertwines on-field impact with off-field economics. A successful January camp could cement her as Hayes’ go-to winger for 2026 and simultaneously rewrite NWSL salary norms. Expect every sprint, shot and social post over the next three weeks to reverberate far beyond the touchline.