The USWNT’s Attacking Trifecta: Rodman, Smith, and Swanson
Julie Foudy couldn’t have said it better when she dubbed this current USWNT front line “The Trifecta.” This absolutely dynamic trio made up of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman has given the world renewed faith in this squad. It’s early on with this lineup, but with the way things are going, I don’t think it would be a far cry to start comparing these three to the second coming of Rapinoe/Morgan/Wambach back in their day. These three are incredible players on their own, but there is magic when they come together.
Mallory Swanson
The world met Mal (at that point, playing with her maiden name, Pugh) back in 2016 when she became the youngest player to play for the USWNT at just 17. She was an incredible star on the rise from that very first appearance. Unfortunately, things started to get rocky the very next year when she sustained a hamstring injury. She continued to be plagued by injury and setbacks in 2020 and 2021 before making her way back in 2022, only to tear her patella in 2023. It has been a truly long road for Swanson, but in just two Olympic games, she has broken records and reminded the world what a dominant force she is and how much perseverance serves a dedicated player. If there is space, Swanson will find it, and she always, always has her eyes open for a scoring opportunity.
Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith has been lighting things up for the USWNT since she was on the U-16 team. Though she’s only been a starter for the squad for a few years, she is an incredible asset. She’s been awarded NWSL Player of the Year and U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, put on the watchlist for the Hermann Trophy, is a collegiate soccer champion, and was the NWSL top scorer in 2023 despite missing the end of the season due to injury. Smith was even given her own Nike spotlight ad during the World Cup, showcasing her looming presence in the minds of every opponent. Smith’s speed is her biggest asset on this front line. She will cruise through any gaps that a defensive midfield line leaves. And with sniper-like precision, she’s deadly from in and out of the box.
Trinity Rodman
Watching Rodman’s career so far has been fascinating. Rodman was the second overall pick for the NWSL 2021 and was named Rookie of the Year, U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, and was the second-highest scorer for the Spirit during their first-ever NWSL Championship season. These Olympic games are the fourth time in two years that Rodman has been named to the USWNT for a major tournament, and she has added a certain intensity to the squad. Rodman is a very physical and explosive player. She’s not afraid to put her body behind the ball or make a risky move. This mentality creates a lot of exciting moments and big breaks in the game.
The combination of physicality, speed, and smarts from these three players has produced something really rare in the USWNT front line. They play together so well, with a level of communication that usually takes years to attain. They make the balancing act of a striking offense look effortless. There were plenty of questions about having such a young team at the Olympics and minimal veteran leadership on the front with Morgan not making the squad—but these three have been proving all of those skeptics wrong. Of the eleven goals scored in pool play for the Paris Olympics, nine have come off the feet of Swanson, Smith, and Rodman, with assists in the mix as well.
Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram
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