Trinity Rodman announced her NWSL return with a spectacular performance, scoring twice including a dramatic 94th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Washington Spirit over Houston Dash at Audi Field. The USWNT star fell to the ground and fired through traffic past goalkeeper Jane Campbell, leaving her stunned in celebration with family including boyfriend Ben Shelton.

Rodman opened the scoring in the 50th minute after latching onto Leicy Santos' precise long pass in transition. Houston equalized in the 89th through rookie Kate Faasse, but Rodman's late heroics preserved Washington's position one point off the league lead. Her brace moved Rodman to five goals this season, tied for fourth in the league scoring charts. The match marked the NWSL's return from a month-long break due to the 2026 Men's World Cup.

Playing through extreme heat with a heat index exceeding 100 degrees, the Spirit's win was one of three Friday matches restarting the season. Michelle Cooper scored twice and Temwa Chawinga added another as Kansas City Current dominated expansion side Denver Summit FC 3-0. Chawinga now has eight goals this season.

Angel City FC rebounded with a 2-0 win over Orlando Pride, with Maiara Niehues and Sveindís Jónsdóttir finding the net. The result came just days after signing USWNT forward Ally Sentnor from Kansas City in an $850,000 transfer. Orlando played without Barbra Banda, the league's leading scorer with 11 goals in 12 games, who missed with a thigh injury.