2025 NWSL Season Kick Off
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By: Angelique Fiske
Trinity Rodman scores emotional stoppage-time, game-winning goal in front of Rowdy Audi crowd

No one can make an entrance quite like Trinity Rodman.

After sitting out since April with a back injury, Rodman made her emotional return to Audi Field in front of a fired up crowd when she subbed on in the 76th minute. That alone would have been enough for the Spirit (and let’s be honest, soccer fans) everywhere, but in classic Trin fashion, she leveled up.

In another well-fought battle between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns, it was a 1-1 draw going into stoppage time. Courtney Brown sent a beautiful cross into the box, where Croix Bethune got a foot on it to redirect it perfectly for Rodman.

Then Rodman did as Rodman does: she launched a shot high into the back left corner of the net.

Rowdy Audi erupted as Rodman covered her mouth in awe before her teammates mobbed her. It’s one of those moments that feels ripped straight from the script of a sports movie. You simply can’t write it better than it played out.

The game-winner was the first of the season for Rodman, and the win propelled the Spirit into third place. Rodman also became the first player in league history to score three stoppage-time game-winning goals.

Would it be a Rodman moment without a little history being made?

In a postgame interview, Rodman was visibly emotional when asked about what it meant.

“That was just the hardest thing I’ve had to go through, with the injury and everything. Being back, especially at the home stadium with the crowd behind me, scoring a goal like that, you saw I buried it. I was not going to miss it. I’m just really happy to be back. I missed the team. I missed doing what I love, so just joy.”

Just joy. That about sums it up.

2025 NWSL Season Kick Off