It is a weird thing to realize, but Trinity Rodman is only 23 years old.
Seriously. Think about that for a second. She has already won an Olympic Gold Medal, snagged an NWSL Championship, and been nominated for a Ballon d'Or. Usually, when a player has that many trophies in the cabinet, they’re pushing thirty and thinking about retirement tours. Trinity? She’s barely getting started.
But as we hit January 2026, the question of how old is Trinity Rodman has taken on a whole new level of intensity. It’s not just a trivia fact anymore. It is currently the most debated number in American soccer because she is, for the first time in her professional life, a free agent.
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The Current Drama: 23 and "Unattached"
If you look at the USWNT roster Emma Hayes just released for the January 2026 camp, you’ll see something jarring. Next to every other player’s name, there is a club—Seattle Reign, KC Current, Washington Spirit. Next to Trinity Rodman? It says "Unattached."
It’s wild.
Her contract with the Washington Spirit officially expired on December 31, 2025. Now, everyone is holding their breath. Because she is so young, the leverage she holds is terrifying for the NWSL. If she were 31, a move to Europe might be seen as a final "payday" move. But at 23? If she leaves for Chelsea or Lyon now, she might not come back to the U.S. domestic league for a decade.
Why the Number 23 Matters So Much Right Now
Rodman was born on May 20, 2002.
That makes her a Taurus, for those who care about that sort of thing, but in the soccer world, it makes her a statistical anomaly. Most players her age are just finishing up their college careers or trying to find their footing as rookies. Trinity skipped college entirely, turning pro at 18.
Because she started so early, she has the "soccer age" of a veteran. She has 47 caps for the senior national team. She has over 100 appearances for the Washington Spirit.
The 2026 Context
- Current Age: 23 (turning 24 in May).
- Professional Years: 5 seasons completed.
- National Team Status: Most experienced player on the current January roster.
Honestly, it’s kind of funny. In the current USWNT camp, she is the "vets" leader. Emma Hayes called up a bunch of kids for these matches against Paraguay and Chile, and Trinity—at twenty-three—is the one they are all looking up to. She has more goals and more caps than almost the rest of the forward line combined.
The Contract Standoff: A Battle of Economics
Here is the part nobody talks about enough: the NWSL is basically fighting itself to keep her.
Reports suggest that the Spirit tried to sign her to a massive new deal late last year, but Commissioner Jessica Berman allegedly stepped in. The league is worried about salary caps and "the spirit of the rules" (no pun intended). But when you have a generational talent who is only 23, you don't play by normal rules.
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If she stays in the NWSL, she likely becomes the highest-paid woman in the history of the league. If she goes to Europe? She becomes a global icon on the level of Sam Kerr or Aitana Bonmatí.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
People look at her last name—Rodman—and assume everything was handed to her or that her "brand" is what got her here. That’s garbage.
If you’ve watched her play recently, especially during that 2024 Olympic run where she scored that insane extra-time winner against Japan, you know the truth. She is a defensive workhorse. She tracks back. She tackles. Most superstars "rest" when they don't have the ball. Trinity doesn't know how to turn it off.
That intensity is why she suffered through back and knee injuries in 2025. She only played one match for the USWNT last year because her body finally told her to slow down. That’s the risk of being a 23-year-old with the mileage of a 30-year-old.
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Navigating the Future
So, what happens next?
The 2026 SheBelieves Cup is right around the corner. By then, we’ll know if she’s staying in D.C. or moving to London. But regardless of where she signs, the reality is that we are witnessing the peak of a player who hasn't even hit her "prime" yet. Most forwards peak between 26 and 28. Trinity is still three years away from that.
If you're following her career, keep an eye on May 20th. That’s when the clock officially turns to 24. Until then, she remains the most dangerous "unattached" player on the planet.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the USWNT Match Schedule: See her back in action on January 24th against Paraguay.
- Follow the Transfer Wire: Keep a close eye on NWSL roster freezes; if a deal isn't announced by early February, a move to Europe becomes almost certain.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Watch her minutes in the early 2026 season to ensure the back issues from last year are fully resolved.