The daughter of NBA superstar Dennis Rodman, Trinity Rodman is making her World Cup debut on Saturday as the USA starts it campaign against Vietnam.
Rodman has made it clear, however, that she wants to forge her own identity separate to her eccentric father, who she has a strained relationship with.
“He was an amazing athlete,” she said. “I got those genes from him, but I’m excited to be known as Trinity Rodman and not just as Rodman’s daughter.
“I’m excited to pave my own path and get better throughout this journey.”
She added: “Being in spotlights has been hard for us, him and me.
“We don’t have the best relationship, but at the end of the day he’s human I’m human… he’s my dad, and I’m his little girl that will never change. I will improve and look forward everyday as I hope he does.”
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TODAY’S FIXTURES (AEST)
Group E — United States 1-0 Vietnam, Eden Park
Group C — Zambia vs Japan, Waikato Stadium, 5pm
Group D — England vs Haiti, Brisbane Stadium, 7.30pm
Group D — Denmark vs China PR, Perth Rectangular Stadium, 8pm
Despite an early injury scare, Rodman started strongly and won a penalty for the US inside the first half, although it was missed by Alex Morgan.
Meanwhile, USA left superstar Megan Rapinoe out of its starting XI against Vietnam.
The veteran is playing her final World Cup but the US coaching staff is believed to be exercising caution in rushing her back.
England vow to put pay row aside in World Cup quest
England pledged to put off-field dramas aside Friday as they look to back up their Euro 2022 triumph at the Women’s World Cup, starting with an opening match against “unpredictable” debutants Haiti.
The Lionesses’ build-up has been overshadowed by an ongoing row over bonuses for the players, with the team pausing talks this week to focus on the task ahead, starting in Brisbane on Saturday.
Coach Sarina Wiegman insisted stalled negotiations with the Football Association (FA) had not been a distraction.
“I haven’t noticed anything about that,” she said after being peppered with questions on the issue at a pre-match press conference.
Canada held to goalless draw | 00:26
“When we go on the pitch everyone is aligned and focused on football and I haven’t seen any other behaviour. So, yes, we are ready.”
England players issued a statement on Tuesday expressing “disappointment” that talks with the FA over bonus payments and commercial structures had not been resolved before the tournament.
They are reportedly upset by the FA’s failure to follow the lead of the Australian and American federations — where collective bargaining agreements apply — in paying bonuses on top of the prize money paid to players directly by FIFA.
“Obviously, it’s not a situation that everyone wants to be in,” said captain Millie Bright.
“As players, we are not just programmed to play football, sometimes we need to have these conversations.
“But we have a very professional group and football is always at the front of everything.” “Our heads are now on the game, they always have been, and everything is on hold with those sorts of questions,” she added. “We will address this situation at a later date but for now it’s all about this tournament.”