Trinity Rodman made a significant impact in Washington’s 2-1 victory over the Houston Dash at Audi Field on Friday, scoring two goals, including a dramatic winner in stoppage time. This match marked the resumption of the NWSL regular season after a hiatus exceeding a month.
With this victory, Washington inches closer to the top of the standings, now just one point away and tied with several other teams. The victory reignited hopes for fans and players alike.
Rodman clinched the match with a spectacular goal in the 94th minute, maneuvering past three defenders before delivering a powerful shot that eluded Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell and found the back of the net. The moment was filled with emotion as Rodman celebrated with her family and friends, including her boyfriend, tennis star Ben Shelton.
After the game, Rodman expressed her initial disbelief at scoring the winning goal, stating she simply reacted in the heat of the moment. “Once I scored, I felt like I had to go,” she said, reflecting on how the build-up led to one of the season’s most thrilling moments.
Houston’s equalizer came late, with rookie Kate Firth managing to score in the 89th minute by breaking through Washington’s defensive line. Rodman had earlier opened the scoring with a goal in the 50th minute, courtesy of a well-placed long pass from midfielder Lacey Santos during a swift counterattack.
NWSL Returns Amid Heat Wave
The return of the NWSL coincided with extreme weather conditions across the East Coast, where Washington experienced a heat index exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit along with an air quality warning.
Kansas City Shines in Season Opener
In addition to Washington’s victory, two other matches marked the league’s return from its break. The Kansas City Current showcased dominance over Denver Summit FC with a 3-0 victory, bolstered by two goals from USWNT forward Michelle Cooper and a late addition from two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga, who pushed her season total to eight goals.
Meanwhile, Angel City FC bounced back after a coaching shake-up. Their first match after parting ways with former head coach Alexander Strauss saw them triumph over Orlando Pride 2-0. New signing Allie Sentner, who joined from Kansas City for a hefty $850,000, played a full 90 minutes, contributing significantly to the win.
With goals from Maiara Niewes and Sveindis Jónsdóttir on either side of halftime, Angel City now sits just one point behind Orlando, which is currently eighth in the league standings. However, the Pride’s struggle continued as they played without leading scorer Barbra Banda, who has been sidelined with a thigh injury.
