USWNT vs. Paraguay score: Trinity Rodman gets goal in USA soccer return as Americans cruise in friendly

Rodman, days after signing a new deal with the Washington Spirit, helped the U.S. to a 6-0 win over the South Americans

Trinity Rodman capped off an excellent week in style, scoring her first goal for the U.S. women's national team in nine months during the team's 6-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday that was defined by their second half dominance.

A young and inexperienced version of the USWNT commanded the game from the start but the tempo decreased midway through the first half, making the game's opening goal hard to come by. It did eventually come in first half stoppage time courtesy of Reilyn Turner, who connected with her Portland Thorns teammate Olivia Moultrie and scored from an angle to notch her first international goal on her debut.

The goals, then, came flooding. The USWNT scored four times in a 10 minute span to start the second half, the highlight of which was Rodman's goal to make it 4-0 in the 56th minute. Ally Sentnor also impressed with a brace bookending that 10 minute spell, while substitute Emma Sears bagged the sixth and final goal of the game less than 10 minutes after coming on.

Rodman played her first game for the national team since April, returning to the USWNT after an injury-plagued 2025 season. She was able to go 63 minutes, though, a sign that her fitness is trending in the right direction as she and her teammates begin to shake off the preseason rust. The goal marks another round of headlines for Rodman, who announced a new deal with the Washington Spirit on Thursday that makes her the highest-paid player in the history of women's soccer.

The USWNT close out their January camp with a friendly on Tuesday against Chile at Santa Barbara's Harder Stadium.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 7:32 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Well, that wasn't so bad in the end for the USWNT, wasn't it? A slow first half gave way for an uber-productive second half, one in which the team followed through with Emma Hayes' vision of a team that takes advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Ally Sentnor bagged a brace, Trinity Rodman returned to the scoresheet and Olivia Moultrie excelled in midfield but a lot of players showcased their talents today, making it a strong start for all in 2026.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 7:19 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

78' The USWNT are not finished taking cracks at goal, unsurprisingly, the latest coming from substitute Maddie Dahlien in her first cap. She finds herself near the endline and takes an angular shot at Paraguay's goal, something that Patricia Lopez should handle but fumbles. Paraguay survive this time but at this point, the rhythm of the game is set and it's all USWNT, all the time.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 7:12 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

72' The USWNT are not done scoring yet! Croix Bethune nick the ball off an opponent with ease and quickly, the ball is at Emma Sears' feet. She goes straight for goal, making her way into the box before hitting a pacy shot that goalkeeper Patricia Lopez cannot keep out.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 7:05 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

63' USWNT head coach Emma Hayes makes all five of her remaining substitutes to close out the game. [clears throat] Emily Sams, Hal Hershfelt, Maddie Dahlien, Sam Menti and Emma Sears come on, Kennedy Wesley, Tara Rudd, Izzy Rodriguez, Lo'eau LaBonta and Trinity Rodman come off. Rodman passes off the armband to 20-year-old Claire Hutton, making her another first-time USWNT captain today.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:58 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

57' You know the USWNT have found their rhythm when they score another goal while your average live-blogger is busy filling in the details on the previous goal. Tara Rudd connects again with an attacking teammate, this time Ally Sentnor, who is essentially alone in the box and beats goalkeeper Patricia Lopez with ease. The floodgates are officially open.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:56 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

56' This game has officially slipped out of Paraguay's grasp. The USWNT benefit yet again from club teammates connecting well, this time Tara Rudd's long ball towards Trinity Rodman. Today's USWNT captain made a run into the box and was never going to miss from close range, scoring her first goal for the national team since April of last year -- and capping off an excellent week for her in style.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:54 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

53' In quick succession, the USWNT have three! Croix Behune is denied of her first international goal moments earlier with an impressive point-blank save from Patricia Lopez but she is responsible for creating the USWNT's next goal. She first sends the ball to Olivia Moultire and then makes a run to free herself up, creating the pressure that forced Fiorela Martinez to send the ball into the back of the net for an own goal. That escalated quickly.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:47 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

47' What a difference the halftime break can make. The USWNT may have struggled for the first goal but they wasted no time finding a second, with Ally Sentnor finishing things off. Again, a club and country connection was responsible here -- the Kansas City Current's Izzy Rodriguez slips the ball through traffic to find Sentnor, who also scored from an angle to double the USWNT's lead.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:47 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Emma Hayes said to expect changes and on that front, she is a woman of her word -- Croix Bethune is on for Reilyn Turner, the goalscorer, at halftime. Paraguay have also made a change in goal to start the second half, bringing on Patricia Lopez in the place of Cristina Recalde.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:38 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

A recent retirement ceremony celebration is a halftime speed painting! Christen Press being honored with on here today. 

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:34 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

It may have taken a while but the USWNT have a deserved lead heading into the halftime break, the stats very clearly laying out their dominance - they had nearly 70% of the ball, took nine shots while facing just one and posted 1.44 expected goals to Paraguay's 0.05. The preseason vibes are hard to miss, though, playing a big role in the performance so far. The U.S. have not exactly made the most of their chances in front of goal and the tempo slipped at times. Reilyn Turner, though, has so far made the most of her debut with the game's only goal so far, a nice follow-up to a strong rookie season with the Portland Thorns.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:27 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

45'+3 The long wait for a goal is finally over, with Reilyn Turner bagging a goal in her debut - and near her hometown of Lakewood, California! Olivia Moultrie spots club and country teammate Turner making a run and sends the ball to her left, the ball zooming past a few Paraguay players before meeting Turner. She then finishes from an angle, ensuring the USWNT have a lead going into the half.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:22 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

40' The USWNT have stpped things up after a mid-tempo patch in the middle of this half but like many of their opportunities in front of goal, they end up winning a corner that they cannot do much with. Trinity Rodman and Reilyn Turner have had some notable chances but again, nothing is really coming off for the hosts - they have six shots, one on target but just 0.54 expected goals so far.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:10 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

30' ...And just as I say that, the USWNT look a little dangerous in front of goal. Izzy Rodriguez darts down the wing, a reflection of the fact that she and Gisele Thompson are making those aggressive forward runs against Paraguay, and tries to connect with Trinity Rodman. The ball is in front of her but the timing's off so she cannot get a great hit on it. Rodman's definitely someone you can count on in these moments but again, it could just be the preseason vibes of the game - and the fact that she has not played for the USWNT since last April.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:09 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

30' Half hour gone by on the clock, and there's been some disjointed play as to be expected. Emma Hayes alluded to this during yesterday's media availability, mentioning that we might see some things look "a bit clunky." 

Giesele Thompson has been fairly active when on the ball from the first whistle, and Reilyn Turner is hungry for a goal with her nose on the ball with good opportunities. The chemistry between Kansas City Current's Lo'eau LaBonta and Claire Hutton is notable, but it's their first game together since the Current's elimination from the NWSL playoffs in November.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 6:08 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

26' The USWNT's quick start has tapered off a little bit, allowing Paraguay to settle into the match a bit more. It is not so much that the U.S. are not finding their connections in midfield but they feel a step too slow in creating chances, to the point that they have taken just one shot since the eighth minute and none since the 16th. None of their four shots have been on target so far, nor have they been of particularly high quality - they have generated just 0.35 expected goals so far. Perhaps it's a natural product of the preseason rust, but it really has slowed the tempo of the game.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:57 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

14' There may technically be a newness to the lineup but the USWNT are moving smoothly in midfield, quickly setting up the attackers to create some chaos in front of goal. Trinity Rodman is an easy target for her teammates, who continue to send the ball her way after carving their way around Paraguayan opponents. There are different players responsible for the chaos, though - Olivia Moultrie and Lo'eau LaBonta have tried to connect with Rodman and Ally Sentnor has caused real problems for Paraguay while playing in and around the No. 10 role.

Paraguay's high line, while an ambitious choice, is making it easy for the USWNT to take advantage of their attacking opportunities. It feels like sooner rather than later that the hosts will find a breakthrough.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:45 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

6' It takes almost no time at all for the USWNT to edge towards Paraguay's goal, with Gisele Thompson making an important run on the flank and Kennedy Wesley taking a shot that Paraguay 'keeper Cristina Recalde making the save and forcing the ball out for a corner. It's the first of two early corners for the hosts, each of them directed towards Trinity Rodman before Paraguay eventually clear the ball out of danger.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:39 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

The USWNT's first game of the year is officially underway in Carson, California.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:34 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Christen Press is on the pitch at Dignity Health Sports Park in a familiar sight for U.S. Soccer ceremonies - a framed jersey with her name and number of caps (155), a bouquet of flowers in hand, federation dignitaries and Press' family members on the pitch ... and the player's dog, Bob! It's nice to see Bob partake in an important day for his mom.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:26 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Hello from USWNT vs. Paraguay at Dignity Health Sports Park! Christen Press spent some time with media in the mixed zone and here's what she had to share about Trinity Rodman

"Trinity is having a moment. She's having a very good week, and I think we're all really proud of her, and in a lot of ways, she does represent sort of the next phase, the next generation, in a big way, like her personally," Christen Press on Rodman. "So much of what we all did as leaders and players on this team was to try to create a reality like the one that she has today, where she gets to be her full self and her big personality and make the money that she deserves and earns.

I think the pressure of playing for this team is real, and it will never go away, and that's the privilege. And I think you know, what I was taught on this team was to harness that and to turn it into my motivation and my discipline and to enjoy it. Enjoy it while you get it, because the pressure will go away. You won't always be on the national team. It's a shooting star career. The tournaments happen in a flash. But while you have the honor of bearing the weight of so many people in this country's hopes and dreams and joy on their Sundays. It's a really special thing, and I know she'll do us all proud."

[Jan 24, 2026 at 5:07 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Christen Press, a member of the USWNT's 2015 and 2019 World Cup-winning teams and a Los Angeles native, will be honored pre-match following her retirement at the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Press becomes the latest accomplished veteran in a long line of them to have a moment such as this one, something Emma Hayes likes to use as a meeting point between a history-making version of the team and the current group of rising talents -- and also a chance for her to respect the legacies those players left behind.

• Hayes: "When I think of Christen Press and how well traveled her career was, I think she had to do that in the backdrop of maybe being a little bit harder to make those choices as a U.S. women's national team player, whereas I think in this day and age, there is more freedom to move, or more opportunity too that comes with that, because the game has grown. So I think, I think Christen Press is somebody who pioneered in some regards to play abroad, to go and do different things. She was one of the most threatening players in the world ... I was always a big fan of her play. So, really delighted to honor her. I know I shouldn't say this, but I'm one of the biggest fans of the U.S. women's national team, even though I'm the coach of this team. So whomever it is, being celebrated I feel like I get the chance to honor that and celebrate that as well."

[Jan 24, 2026 at 4:52 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Trinity Rodman is fit to start and, as anticipated, she will wear the armband for the USWNT. She is joined in the lineup by the likes of Mandy McGlynn in goal and Washington Spirit teammate Tara Rudd (formerly McKeown) in defense, while Reilyn Turner will earn her first cap via a starting role. Per the broadcast, it will be a 3-4-3 in possession and a 4-2-3-1 out of possession. Here's a look at the USWNT's look for today.

USWNT starting XI: Mandy McGlynn, Gisele Thompson, Tara Rudd, Kennedy Wesley, Izzy Rodriguez, Lo'eau LaBonta, Claire Hutton, Trinity Rodman, Ally Sentnor, Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner

Substitutes: Claudia Dickey, Ayo Oke, Emily Sams, Riley Jackson, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, Kate Wiesner, Sally Menti, Emma Sears, Maddie Dahlien, Yazmeen Ryan, Jameese Joseph

[Jan 24, 2026 at 4:46 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Today's fixture marks Paraguay's third match against the USWNT, losing the previous two by lopsided scorelines in 2021. The visitors will be hoping for a better outing this time around with a team headlined by midfielder Claudia Martinez, who is reportedly set to join Trinity Rodman at the Washington Spirit in time for the 2026 season. Here's a look at Paraguay's team.

Paraguay starting XI: Cristina Recalde, Fiorela Martinez, Tania Riso, Maria Vega, Daysy Sanchez, Cindy Ramos, Danna Barcete, Limpia Fretes, Claudia Martinez, Griselda Garay, Fatima Acosta

Substitutes: Patricia Lopez, Naomi de Leon, Maria Tamay, Erika Cartaman, Yanina Servin, Milagros Rolon, Belen Talavera, Nabila Perruchino, Agustina Varela

[Jan 24, 2026 at 4:36 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

The USWNT's first camp of the year falls outside of a FIFA window and lands just before Gotham FC's participation in the first-ever FIFA Women's Champions Cup, leaving Emma Hayes with plenty of spots to fill on her roster in the absence of several regulars. It means, though, that Hayes can continue her period of experimentation for at least another month and extend her plans for the national team beyond the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

• Hayes; "Yes, we have a much different group than we would ordinarily have, but what a great development opportunity for so many of them. Not all of them, I think, will compete to be part of the group that qualifies for 2027, but I've said it countless times, my job is to prepare players, not just for a single tournament, but to line up successive competitive teams, and some of these players, I think that we'll see on show could be stars of 2031 as well as some that will push into 2028, so, I think we have to be mindful of that."

[Jan 24, 2026 at 4:15 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Emma Hayes revealed in her pre-match press conference on Friday that, should she be fit enough to start, Trinity Rodman will wear the captain's armband against Paraguay. The days where Rodman was a rising talent may not feel all that long ago but she enters the USWNT's first camp of the year as the most experienced player on the roster, quickly becoming a veteran in the process. Rodman said on Friday that she plans to fill the leadership void during this month's friendlies, adding a professional maturity to her game.

• Rodman: "I think just continuing to keep and raise the standard of the national team. If it's on the field, just moving quickly between drills, communicating in between 11 to elevens. If it's off the field, in the meal rooms, just being respectful to everybody that's around, just simple stuff. For me, the captains that have been on this team, well, I can't even put myself in the same category, because I have so much to learn and so much to improve on, but I'm just trying to learn from them and continue that legacy of theirs as well."

Read more on Rodman's new leadership status here.

[Jan 24, 2026 at 4:00 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC)

Defenders (8): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC), Ayo Oke (Denver Summit FC) Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit)

Midfielders (8): Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC)

Forwards (7): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC)

[Jan 24, 2026 at 2:50 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

The winter break is officially over for the U.S. women's national team, who kick off a very important year with a friendly against Paraguay in the Los Angeles suburbs. The countdown to November's World Cup qualification tournament is officially underway, this month's friendlies - including Tuesday's against Chile in Santa Barbara - will offer an important chance for players to impress head coach Emma Hayes as she inches closer to that looming deadline.

Stick around for pre-match coverage and updates once the USWNT's first game of 2026 begins.