Trinity Rodman's Stoppage-Time Winner Lifts Washington Spirit Past Houston Dash 2-1

The Houston Dash had done the hard part. They had survived a first-half penalty, survived a second-half siege and, in the 89th minute, stolen an equalizer through Kate Faasse. Then Trinity Rodman found a yard of space just outside the box in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and the Dash's point vanished.

Rodman's low left-footed strike into the bottom left corner gave the Washington Spirit a 2-1 win over Houston on Friday night at Audi Field, her second goal of the night in front of 15,792 fans. It was the Spirit's first match back after the break, per the club, and it came with a bonus: Washington said the win lifted it into second place in the NWSL table.

Campbell Stands in the Way

Washington controlled the first half almost entirely. Houston had the first look, with Kiki Van Zanten sending a shot just over in the 10th minute in her first start since May 1, according to the Dash, and Avery Patterson pulled one wide in the 15th. After that, it was mostly one-way traffic toward Jane Campbell.

Rosemonde Kouassi fired over in the 17th, Leicy Santos did the same from a Sofia Cantore pass in the 20th, Rodman had a shot blocked in the 22nd, and Lucia Di Guglielmo sent one just past the top left corner in the 25th. Rodman then drew the big moment herself, going down under a Patterson foul in the box in the 32nd minute. Patterson was booked, and Kouassi stepped up three minutes later.

Campbell guessed right and saved it at the bottom left corner. The Dash said it was her ninth career regular-season penalty save, tying Kailen Sheridan for the most in NWSL history. Campbell also saved a Cantore header in the 45th, and Santos sent a direct free kick narrowly wide in the 43rd. The Spirit outshot Houston 8-2 in the half and still went to the break at 0-0.

Rodman Breaks Through

Houston made two halftime changes, bringing on Faasse for Van Zanten and Malia Berkely for Paige Nielsen. Washington needed five minutes to finally solve Campbell. In the 50th minute, Santos lofted a long ball forward, and Rodman finished right-footed from the middle of the box into the bottom right corner. The Dash said it was Rodman's fourth goal of the season.

Faasse showed signs of life for Houston, dribbling into the attacking third and forcing a save from Sandy MacIver in the 54th minute. But Washington kept coming. Gabrielle Carle replaced Élisabeth Tsé in the 62nd minute after a stoppage for Tsé, and Deborah Abiodun came on for Andi Sullivan. Cantore slid a shot from the six-yard box just wide in the 70th, Campbell saved Santos in the 74th, and the Spirit added another wave of chances in the 80s. Campbell stopped a Tara Rudd header in the 83rd, Rebeca Bernal headed wide moments later, and Carle missed narrowly from close range after a corner in the 87th.

The Spirit's own recap counted 10 second-half shots to Houston's four, all of it played in what the club described as high temperatures, with a drinks break in the 75th minute. Somehow it was still only 1-0.

Faasse Strikes, Rodman Answers

Houston's comeback started quietly. Sophie Schmidt, on for Kat Rader in the 70th, forced MacIver into a save with a header off a Lisa Boattin cross in the 82nd. Then, in the 89th minute, Linda Ullmark slipped a through ball to Faasse, and the rookie finished down the middle for 1-1. The Dash said it was Faasse's second goal of the season, adding that first-year players had produced 11 of Houston's 15 goals this campaign through goals and assists.

For about five minutes, Houston had snatched a point out of nowhere. Then came the turning point. Five minutes of stoppage time were announced, Faasse was flagged offside in the third, and in the fourth, Carle found Rodman outside the box. Rodman hit it low with her left foot, and it skidded into the bottom left corner. Audi Field erupted, and Houston's hopes went with it.

Stars of the Night

Trinity Rodman scored twice on five shots, drew the first-half penalty and decided the match in stoppage time. Superstar stuff.

Jane Campbell made four saves, including the penalty stop that tied the NWSL record for career regular-season penalty saves, and kept a lopsided match close for 89 minutes.

Leicy Santos assisted the opener, took four shots and kept feeding the box all night.

Kate Faasse scored off the bench and was Houston's most dangerous player after halftime, with two shots on target.

Gabrielle Carle came off the bench to deliver the winning assist.

Sandy MacIver only had two saves to make for Washington, but the second one, on Schmidt's header in the 82nd minute, kept the Spirit in front.

Numbers That Matter

• Shots: Washington 18, Houston 6.
• Shots on goal: Washington 6, Houston 3.
• Saves: Campbell 4, MacIver 2.
• Possession: Washington 57.2 percent.
• Corners: Washington 4, Houston 0.

The Bigger Picture

Washington moves to seven wins, three draws and two losses with 24 points. That makes seven wins in the Spirit's last eight league matches, with the only blip a 2-1 loss at San Diego in May. Next up is a trip to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 11.

Houston falls to four wins, two draws and seven losses with 14 points after a second straight defeat. The road has been especially unkind: this was Houston's fifth straight loss away from home, a run that began with a 2-1 loss at Angel City on March 27. The Dash visit Denver Summit FC on July 12, then return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Bay FC on July 24.

Final Word

Some stars wait for the big moment. Rodman spent 94 minutes manufacturing it. She drew the penalty, scored the opener and, when Houston finally clawed back, put the match away with the kind of finish that ends up on loop on every highlight show in the country. Campbell gave Houston a shot at a famous point. Rodman took it right back.

Stats from ESPN's match data. Additional details as reported by WashingtonSpirit.com and the Houston Dash on HoustonDynamoFC.com.