Trinity Rodman scored the best goal of her rookie season on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough as the Washington Spirit fell 3-2 to Gotham FC at Segra Field.
The Spirit looked doomed as early as the seventh-minute after Sam Staab was issued a straight red card for committing a foul as the last defender, but six minutes after her dismissal, Rodman shocked NJ/NY.
The 19-year-old used her pace to get on the end of a ball out wide, but with support arriving in the middle, Rodman elected to drift inside before unleashing a right-footed effort that flew inside the far post.
The No. 2 overall selection of the 2021 NWSL Draft now has three goals and two assists in 10 games.
Textbook @trinity_rodman right here ⚽️#WASvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/e2gC4wIzPC
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2021
Nahomi Kawasumi equalized for Gotham in the 24th minute, and McCall Zerboni made it 2-1 in the 35th. But Washington found a spectacular equalizer in the 56th with an Ashley Sanchez free kick.
A perfect 10 #WASvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ysAQ7rIcCh
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2021
However, Gotham scored the winner in the 76th minute through Midge Purce.
Clutch goal? Must be @100Purcent #WASvNJNY | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/LIh8fJnVtp
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2021
Gotham moves up to fifth with the win; Washington drops to seventh.