The NWSL saw the return of one of its stars in a big way on Sunday, Aug. 3, as the Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman struck a game-winning goal against the Portland Thorns in her first match since April 12.
Rodman, who battled back from a nagging back injury, entered the match in the 76th minute to a rousing ovation from the home crowd at Audi Field in Washington D.C.
The cheers only got louder when Rodman scored in the second minute of second half stoppage time, catching a ball mid-bounce and firing it over keeper Mackenzie Arnold for the game-winner.
‘Holy cow, that was just the hardest thing I’ve had to go through with injury and everything,’ an emotional Rodman said after the game. ‘So, being back with the team, especially at home, with the stadium and 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.’
A 2024 Olympic gold medalist, Rodman has openly said her back is unlikely to ever get back to 100%. Rodman’s only game for the U.S. women’s national team since the Paris Olympics last summer came April 5. She scored just over five minutes into that 2-0 victory.
Washington’s next match will be Aug. 9 against Gotham FC, as the No. 2 team in the NWSL looks to make a push with Rodman at the helm. After the game-winner Sunday, it looks like things are off to a promising start.