Trinity Rodman notches brace as Spirit down Gotham FC

Trinity Rodman scored twice Sunday to help lift the Washington Spirit to a 3-1 win against NJ/NY Gotham FC. The Spirit are on an undefeated streak that dates back to last August.

After starting off the Challenge Cup with three straight draws, the Spirit have found their groove, winning their last two. Rodman has been a key factor, scoring four goals in three games for the reigning NWSL champions.

“Last year was fun for her in so many ways,” Spirit coach Kris Ward said. “It was like a new experience, and we were really successful within that. But there is a different motivation to say: ‘I don’t just want to be the leading scorer in the league. I want to be the leading scorer for the national team, and I want to be the leading scorer in the world.’ That’s her bar.”

Her first came in the 39th minute on Sunday to put the Spirit ahead by one. Then, in the 75th minute, she put the Spirit ahead for good. She was assisted by Ashley Sanchez, who scored the tying goal in the 24th minute.

Ashley Sanchez 🤝 @trinity_rodman

It's a 3-1 lead for Washington!@WashSpirit | #NJNYvWAS pic.twitter.com/K3QAvmJiyU

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 17, 2022

Nahomi Kawasumi scored the lone goal for Gotham in the fourth minute, putting them ahead early.

Finesse.✨@NahoKawasumi_9 gives Gotham an early lead!@GothamFC | #NJNYvWAS pic.twitter.com/h6YeY9fzOu

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 17, 2022

After the game, Gotham coach Scott Parkinson called Washington “the best team in the league.”

Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West then echoed the statement, calling them an “excellent opponent.”

“I hate losing but some teams and players in this league are special enough that we need to acknowledge when we’ve simply been outplayed by a great performance,” she wrote on Twitter.

The matchup had been much anticipated since an on-Twitter feud erupted between Ashlyn Harris and Trinity Rodman following the two team’s last matchup.