The US women’s national team edged Brazil 2-0 in their California friendly on Saturday, marking the return of midfielder Trinity Rodman from an eight-month injury absence. Captain Lindsey Heaps scored the decisive penalty in the second half, while Phallon Tullis-Joyce made six saves on her debut to secure a clean sheet.
Rodman, who had been sidelined since the 2024 Olympic final due to back problems, scored her 11th goal for the US after a brilliant run by Alyssa Thompson. The game, played in front of 32,303 fans at SoFi Stadium, was billed as the first professional women’s sporting event at the venue.
Thompson got the team going with a perfect pass to Rodman, who coolly finished into the corner. “Delighted for her,” said coach Emma Hayes, adding that Thompson had been smiling from ear to ear upon her return to the US squad.
The win brings the USWNT their fifth Olympic gold medal and marks a significant step forward after a 2-1 loss to Japan in February’s SheBelieves Cup. The team will meet Brazil again on Tuesday night in San Jose, California.
However, the US is playing with several key players missing due to injuries, including two starting center-backs Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson. Despite this, the depleted defense held their own against a strong Brazilian side, with Tullis-Joyce making crucial saves throughout the game.
The win is also part of a busy schedule for the USWNT, who are hosting several major soccer events in the Los Angeles area over the next six years, including matches during the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/05/uswnt-brazil-soccer-trinity-rodman