Trinity Rodman Scores Winner in Dramatic Comeback
Jordan Collins here, okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up.
Trinity Rodman returned to the field on August 3 after a 114-day layoff and delivered a stoppage-time goal that clinched a 2-1 victory for the Washington Spirit against the Portland Thorns. The 23-year-old forward had been sidelined since April with a back injury but came off the bench in the 76th minute and refused to let the moment slip away.
In an emotional postgame interview with former player Kelsey Riggs, Rodman admitted she almost could not believe the result. “Holy cow, that was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through with injury and everything. So being back, especially at home with the crowd behind me, scoring a goal like that—you saw it—I buried it. I wasn’t gonna miss it,” she said, visibly fighting back tears. She went on to emphasize the relief of rejoining her teammates. “I’m just really happy to be back. I missed the team, I missed doing what I love. So, yeah, I’m just enjoying it.”
Behind the scenes, Rodman’s recovery followed a strict regimen of solo training and rehabilitation. She explained that replicating team drills alone was tough but necessary. “I was working a lot on my endurance, I was working a lot on getting my back to work since it should,” she shared. Those hours of one-on-one fitness sessions clearly paid off when she darted past Portland’s defense in stoppage time.
On the personal side of things, her boyfriend, tennis pro Ben Shelton, made sure no one missed her heroics. Shelton reposted a clip of Rodman’s goal to his Instagram Story with the caption, “Plays 15 mins first game back and scores a banger.” He followed up with a second clip that simply read, “Welcome back Trinity Rodman” alongside a starry-eyed emoji. Fans aboard both the soccer pitch and the tennis circuit have been following the couple since they confirmed their relationship with a kiss on Instagram in March 2025.
Rodman has also been vocal about keeping the focus on Shelton’s accomplishments at Wimbledon and shutting down talk of her famous father, Dennis Rodman. After broadcasters mentioned him during one of Shelton’s matches, she posted on her Instagram Story: “My dad’s not even in MY life, no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine.”
This comeback is more than just a single goal; it signifies resilience and dedication in the face of adversity. With the playoffs looming, keep an eye on how Rodman’s renewed form bolsters the Spirit’s push for silverware. And if you thought that was thrilling, just wait until the next chapter unfolds.
Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
