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Sophia Smith drew out the Welsh goalkeeper and
crossed to 21-year-old Rodman, who finished into a open goal to
break the deadlock in the 76th minute in San Jose, California.
Rodman, who came on as a second-half substitute after coach
Vlatko Andonovski opted to start 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson up
front, added another goal 11 minutes later.
The U.S. had not been held goalless in the first half since
January but were utterly flummoxed against the 30th-ranked
Wales' tight formation, before Andonovski sent on a flurry of
substitutes, including Rodman.
"Today was another stepping stone for us," veteran defender
Crystal Dunn said in a post-match interview. "Obviously wasn't
our tidiest game but I think this is a great moment for us to
build on what we're working on right now."
The friendly gave fans a final glimpse at their four-times
champions before they travel to New Zealand, where they begin
their World Cup campaign against Vietnam in Group E on July 22.
The 23-player squad are in pursuit of an unprecedented third
consecutive title and were treated to a post-match ceremony in
front of 18,000 fans before they were expected to board a plane
hours later.
Veteran Megan Rapinoe, who announced on Saturday that she would
retire at the end of the season, did not play in the match but
was greeted to roars of celebration as she stepped out onto the
pitch and gave the crowd a wave.
The World Cup kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Christian
Radnedge)
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