TENACITY AND JOY

The future of women's soccer has arrived. Her name is Trinity Rodman.

- PETER FLAX

It's halftime in New Zealand. The U.S. women's national team is officially beginning its 2023 World Cup campaign with a January contest against the co-hosts of that looming, all-important tournament. Although the Americans dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, the score remains 0-0. The U.S. coach, hoping to inject energy into the game and break the deadlock, begins the second half with four substitutions.

Trinity Rodman runs onto the field. Six minutes later, the young striker-she's four months shy of turning 21 at the time-receives a perfect pass as she streaks toward the right corner. With a Kiwi defender tight to her left shoulder, enticing Rodman to drive toward the corner, the American instead abruptly cuts left and back, creating a momentary space. Rodman takes one touch with her right foot and lofts the ball into the box with her left as teammate Mallory Swanson sprints toward the goal. In about a second it goes from Rodman's left foot to Swanson's forehead to the back of the net.

About 20 minutes later, Rodman initiates another lovely combination. Her teammate Lynn Williams has good position on the edge of the box and Rodman curves a cross around a defender to Williams, who heads it into the back left corner of the net. The U.S. squad, winners of the last two World Cups and overflowing with talent, closes out the game with a 4-0 win.

There are plenty of logical questions one can ask about Trinity Rodman-after all, she's so young, and the arc of her professional career is just beginning-but there is simply no question about her star power. The ability to make something out of nothing. To lift fans out of their seats. To showcase the free-spirited beauty and emotion of the game.