INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Trinity Rodman reached for her back and grimaced.
Uh oh, Coach Emma Hayes thought.
Hampered by back problems throughout her soccer career, the U.S. star had not played for the national team since the Olympics last summer. Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Brazil marked her return — and she scored less than six minutes after the opening whistle.
As her celebration wound down, Rodman decided to pull a playful stunt.
“Medical staff was freaking out,” she said with a devilish grin, “but I thought I had to do it.”
For a moment, Hayes was mortified.