Ben Shelton’s girlfriend, professional soccer player Trinity Rodman, is a forward for the United States national team and the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She recently opened up about why she cried on her boyfriend’s shoulder after losing in the 2025 NWSL Championship final.
Shelton and Rodman made their relationship public in March 2025. To date, Rodman has achieved several accolades, including winning the NWSL Championship, earning a spot on the NWSL Best XI, and being named NWSL Rookie of the Year.
Ben Shelton’s Girlfriend Trinity Rodman Gets Emotional After Losing in National Women’s Soccer League Final
On Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in the 12th edition of the NWSL Championship, the Washington Spirit faced Gotham FC in the final at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Gotham FC won the match 1-0, with a goal from Rose Lavelle in the 80th minute, securing their second NWSL championship.
After the Washington Spirit’s loss, Rodman was seen going up to Shelton, who was on the sideline, and breaking down in tears on his shoulder.
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While speaking to the press after the match, Rodman expressed her disappointment, stating that the loss was “sad” and that she turned to Shelton for support. She shared that she was emotional because both she and her team had put so much effort into the tournament.
“It was sad, and I feel like you obviously have your team the entire year, but sometimes you just need your outside supporters and Ben is that for me. So I was just crying. I’m sad. It sucks and it’s not just we lost a soccer game. It’s all the work we put into it and it’s nice to get that reward at the end, but at the end of the day we can still celebrate because we did so much,” Rodman said.
Rodman, who has been recovering from a sprained MCL in her right knee, admitted that she wasn’t at her “full self” during the match and felt she “definitely underperformed.”
“As much as I don’t want to admit it, I still don’t feel like I was my full self tonight, which sucks. I feel like this is the second year I’ve gone to a final not I feeling myself. So it just makes me sad. I definitely underperformed,” she added.
On the tennis side of things, Shelton wrapped up his 2025 season after competing in the ATP Finals, where he made his tournament debut. It was a disappointing outing in Turin for the former World No. 5, as he lost all his group stage matches. He started with a loss to third-seeded Alexander Zverev, finishing that match with a score of 3-6, 6-7(6).
Shelton’s campaign ended after he lost to Félix Auger-Aliassime, with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7(7), 5-7, and to the eventual champion Jannik Sinner, who defeated him 6-3, 7-6(3) in his second and third group stage matches, respectively.
Ben Shelton To Begin 2026 Season at ASB Classic
Looking ahead, Shelton will begin his 2026 season by competing in the ASB Classic, which is scheduled to take place from January 6 to January 11, 2026, at the Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. This will be his fourth consecutive appearance in the ASB Classic, having made his tournament debut in 2023.
In addition to the 23-year-old, players such as defending champion Gaël Monfils, Flavio Cobolli, Alejandro Tabilo, Cameron Norrie, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, among others, are also set to compete in the ATP 250 hard-court tournament in Auckland.
Speaking about competing at the ASB Classic, Shelton said:
“For me it’s been great preparation, great matches, and a place that I feel comfortable. I think that to start the year it’s nice to be somewhere that you’re comfortable and feels like home. I enjoy playing there. And I’ve played well in the Australian Open after that tournament, and it’s one that I’d like to keep coming back to.”
Shelton’s best result at the ASB Classic came in 2024. He was the top seed, and he began his campaign in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. He defeated Fábián Marozsán and Roberto Carballés Baena before falling to the eventual champion, Taro Daniel, in the semifinals.
