Was she for real, a player destined to take the National Women’s Soccer League by storm? Or because of her age and famous father, was she a marketing ploy to bolster the emergent circuit?
Over the course of the year — one in which the 19-year-old forward won rookie of the year and the league championship, received U.S. Soccer’s young player of the year award and an invitation to the revered national team — any lingering skepticism was smashed.
And this week, recognizing Rodman’s importance to the team and league, the Washington Spirit tore up her contract and signed her to a four-year deal.