Watch: Trinity Rodman scores winning goal to send USA to semis

Trinity Rodman. Reuters-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Trinity Rodman scores winning goal against Japan in extra time to send USA to semis

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Aug 3, 2024 1:22 PM ET

Forward Trinity Rodman saved the day for Team USA in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She scored the go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time in the first extra period against Japan, giving Team USA a 1-0 win.

Rodman scored on a phenomenal left-footed strike that sailed into the side of the net.

TRINITY RODMAN TAKE A BOW.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. THE USWNT LEADS IN EXTRA TIME.#ParisOlympics | USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/rNlebzAyOo
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024

Rodman, 22, is the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. Her quarterfinal goal was her third in four games at the Olympics, tying forward Mallory Swanson for the team lead.

She also scored in the team's 3-0 win in the opener against Zambia and again in the 43rd minute against Australia in a 2-1 win. Rodman also assisted in last Sunday's 4-1 win over Germany.

Per OptaJack, she became the first player to record a point in the first four games of their first major tournament (Olympics or World Cup) since Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach at the 2012 London Olympics.

4 - Trinity Rodman is the first #USWNT player to contribute to a goal in each of her first four matches of a major tournament (Olympics or World Cup) since Alex Morgan (all 6) and Abby Wambach (first 5) in the 2012 Olympics. Breakout. pic.twitter.com/EbK0gfr9M3
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 3, 2024

The burgeoning star is quickly becoming one of the best players on Team USA. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NWSL draft is participating in her ninth competition for the national team, all since 2022.

Saturday's win moves Team USA into the semifinals on Tuesday, where it will play Canada or Germany.

The bronze medal match in Olympic women's soccer is on Friday, and the gold medal match will follow on Aug. 10.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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