Trinity Rodman got her second assist of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season in the Washington Spirit’s win over the Utah Royals last weekend. This particular assist was special, highlighting a developing part of her game: crossing.

Renowned for her 1-versus-1 skill and blistering speed, not to mention a strong work ethic defensively, Rodman is showing she can create not just off the dribble, but also with her final ball. At half-time of the win over Utah, she was asked about her assist by the NWSL+ commentary team. “Every defender expects me to go 1v1,” she said. “And now I just want to be unpredictable”.

That assist is what is described as an “early cross”, meaning it is played well before the crosser hits the by-line, more towards the 18-yard line of the penalty box. The idea is to curl the ball into the space between back line and goalkeeper. Usually, the earlier the ball is played, the more space there is in this area.

Credit: Tacticalista

Rodman’s early cross was hooked, with spin, towards the back post for Ouleymata Sarr to head home. It’s a great example of why a quality early cross can be so dangerous. The Utah defence pushed up, trying to clear space around their goalkeeper and work an offside. Rodman puts the ball into that space with some bend, an “out-swinger”. This gets it around her direct opponent and discourages the ‘keeper from coming out and claiming or punching it.

This was one of four excellent pick-outs by Rodman during Washington’s win. In the video below, the early cross described above is the second clip.

It’s worth highlighting the variety of final ball seen in that video. As well as the “early cross” for the goal, we see an accurate cut-back; a low, driven cross; and a pin-point high cross. On another day, Rodman could have had more than one assist. These crosses were asking to be attacked, manna from heaven for strikers.

What we can also see is Rodman regularly gets her head up before delivering. She’s assessing her options, and trying to be specific about precisely where or who she is aiming for, and what type of ball is required.

So…what does this mean for defenders? Why is it such a big deal?

Well, if the defender tries to close Rodman down, she can skin them with a bit of skill or a change of pace. Now, if the defender backs off, we know Rodman can whip in a dangerous cross. She is becoming a more varied threat.

Now, defenders have no easy answers. Close down or stand off, they can be punished either way. It’s a similar conundrum that has been posed for many years by Caroline Graham Hansen, who most agree is among the greatest wingers in the game’s history. CGH can drive at defenders, commit them and sear them on the dribble, or—if they stand off her—she can whip in a wicked cross. Doesn’t this assist look eerily similar to the one Rodman just notched against Utah?

At 21 years old, Rodman continues to evolve her game, bringing multiple qualities to her team. Defensively, she will press from the front, and is happy to track back if necessary. Offensively, she can blitz full-backs 1-v-1, attack space, and is increasingly efficient when picking out teammates in the box.

With all of that in mind, isn’t it nice to see her back on the right flank, after a spell up front last season? This looks like Rodman’s best position. Now that Washington have moved away from the 4-4-2 diamond of Mark Parsons, and moved into a typical 4-2-3-1, we should get to see Rodman play her best position more frequently. Full-backs, good luck.