As the U.S. women's national team said goodbye to one superstar winger in Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman showed why she may very well be next in line.
Rodman scored the first goal in a 2-0 win over South Africa in what was Rapinoe's 203rd and final USWNT cap. The young attacker was far and away the best player on the pitch, even if all eyes were on Rapinoe as she looked to end her USWNT career in true Rapinoe-like fashion.
She got close, nearly scoring from one free kick. Ultimately, Rapinoe won't be credited with a goal contribution, but she did the next best thing in setting up Emily Sonnett's goal to make it 2-0.
Rapinoe said goodbye shortly after, although not before being forced to do her iconic pose one last time in a USWNT shirt. While this day was very much about Rapinoe, it was also about a new generation in stars, players like Rodman and Mia Fishel, the latter of whom made her USWNT debut.
GOAL rates the USWNT players from Soldier Field:
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Casey Murphy (6/10):
Had very, very little to do as South Africa struggled to do much of anything in the attack.
Casey Krueger (7/10):
A strong performance in her first game since missing the World Cup. With games like this, she'll definitely remain in the pool.
Tierna Davidson (7/10):
Another player back after missing the World Cup, Davidson showed good chemistry with Girma as she looks to get back into the picture on the road to the Olympics.
Naomi Girma (8/10):
Another game, another composed performance from Girma, who will seemingly be doing this for the next 15 years.
Crystal Dunn (7/10):
A solid game from Dunn, although she had to do very little defensively.
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Emily Sonnett (8/10):
Scored just her second international goal, and it will be a memorable one considering the occasion. Very cool of her to give Rapinoe her moment given how few she herself has gotten to celebrate like this.
Lindsey Horan (7/10):
Was oh so close on a bicycle kick, which would have been ridiculous. Outside of that, another good shift in midfield after a fantastic effort in the previous game. Played a bit higher up early before moving back after substitutions.
Andi Sullivan (6/10):
Largely on clean-up duty, helping prevent South Africa from doing much of anything.
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Trinity Rodman (8/10):
An absolutely dominant performance that the USWNT will hope is a sign of things to come. So dynamic, and not even just on her goal, as she would have had another one if her shot didn't nearly go through the frame of the goal.
Alex Morgan (7/10):
Set up Rodman's goal, so the playmaking is still there. However, it's been a while since Morgan has scored. It won't matter too much as long as she keeps the attack ticking, but we'll see what the next coach thinks on the road to the Olympics.
Megan Rapinoe (7/10):
Won't get credit for the assist, but her set piece delivery basically set up Sonnett's goal. One more chance to celebrate after creating one more goal, a fitting farewell.
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Alana Cook (7/10):
Performance didn't drop off at all once Girma came out, which is a big compliment to Cook.
Midge Purce (7/10):
Had the honor of being the one to replace Rapinoe, and she honored her in the right way by bringing plenty of sauce. Fantastic on the ball in attack before switching back to defense due to substitutions.
Savannah DeMelo (6/10):
Valuable minutes for the Racing Louisville star, who is still very, very inexperienced despite her World Cup run.
Mia Fishel (6/10):
Showed exactly why USWNT fans have reason to be excited for her. A good first impression as she made things happen in the attack.
Emily Fox (6/10):
You know what you get from Fox. Steady and solid, so didn't learn anything new here!
Lynn Williams (6/10):
Given a decent runout after balling out in the first game of this window.
Twila Kilgore (7/10):
Consider it mission accomplished. Got Rapinoe a proper farewell, introduced new faces and reintroduced a few more. For an interim coach, that's all you need to do.