Jul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates with fans after scoring a goal in extra time against the Houston Dash at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Jul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates with fans after scoring a goal in extra time against the Houston Dash at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
It was a highly contested match between the Washington Spirit and the Houston Dash in the NWSL on July 3. But the real drama unfolded in the 94th minute and in the stands. Trinity Rodman scored a stoppage‑time winner and immediately sprinted to celebrate with her boyfriend, tennis star Ben Shelton.
Rodman opened the scoring in the 50th minute, but Houston Dash forward Kate Faasse equalized in the 89th. With five minutes of stoppage time added, Rodman unleashed a left‑footed strike from outside the box.
The shot hit the back of the net. The crowd erupted as she ran straight toward Shelton in the audience, where the two hugged and kissed.
The shot, taken outside the box in the 94th minute, hit the back of the net, making the crowd cheer for her, and she, on the other hand, ran straight towards Shelton sitting in the audience as the two hugged and kissed each other. The following was posted by espnW on X as well.
Rodman herself couldn’t believe it after hitting that screamer from outside the box.
"Honestly, like obviously my goal was to try to get like a last‑ditch effort goal in those last five minutes after we got scored on. But I hit it bad and I fell and it didn’t feel good off the foot… I look up, and I’m like, ‘No, stop.’ So, yeah, I was surprised,” she told NWSL commentators.
Shelton and Rodman revealed their relationship on March 6, 2025, when they joined a viral trend posting videos to Jorjiana and GloRilla’s ‘ILBB2.’
They have since shared posts about each other and attended each other’s matches. Rodman’s first appearance at a Shelton match came on April 19, 2025, when he faced Francisco Cerundolo at the BMW Open.
After the goal scored by Rodman, she now comes closer to a milestone for her club.
Trinity Rodman Scores a Brace and Nears a Milestone
Jul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates with defender Gabrielle Carle (14) after scoring a goal in extra time against the Houston Dash at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Jul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates with defender Gabrielle Carle (14) after scoring a goal in extra time against the Houston Dash at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
After her stoppage‑time strike, Rodman completed a brace, her fourth for the Spirit. She now holds the second‑most braces in club history, trailing Ashley Hatch’s six.
Ever since Rodman was drafted by the Spirit as the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, she has been impactful for the team.
She won her first NWSL championship in her rookie season, contributing seven goals and seven assists. She also assisted the game‑winning goal in that 2021 final.
Rodman was named the 2021 Rookie of the Year following her win with the Spirit.
Moreover, she was named to the 2023 NWSL Best XI Second Team after a 10‑goal, 10‑assist season. In 2024, she was named in the NWSL's Best XI First Team as well.
Last year was rough due to an MCL injury, but this season the Spirit are in strong form. They are currently second in the league with a 7‑3‑2 record after 12 matches.
The Spirit next face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 11. Rodman will look to keep scoring braces and eventually break Hatch’s record.
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Written by
Dhruv Singh
Edited by
Koushik Biswas