Trinity Rodman couldn’t stop laughing. There she was, fresh off scoring two goals in Washington Spirit’s 2-0 victory over Seattle Reign FC, when her boyfriend Ben Shelton appeared on the pitch with a microphone.
The tennis pro had turned the tables, interviewing her just like she’d done to him at the US Open. For Rodman, this moment perfectly captured their playful relationship, one built on mutual support and good-natured teasing.
How Did Ben Shelton Get His Revenge on Trinity Rodman?
Rodman’s stellar performance set up the perfect opportunity for Shelton’s surprise. She opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Bethune’s precise cross found her just inside the box, and she volleyed the ball into the corner to make it 1-0. The forward wasn’t finished there.
At the 81st minute, Bethune slipped another perfect pass to Rodman, who calmly slotted her second goal of the game into the top corner.
Amid the post-match celebrations at Audi Field, the broadcast team announced an unexpected guest. Shelton appeared on the pitch with a microphone and greeted Rodman with professional composure. He began, “Great game, Trin. Two great combo goals today. Can you talk about your dynamic with Croix?”
Rodman was laughing uncontrollably, seeing Shelton wearing a proper microphone and acting as a seasoned reporter. She managed to compose herself enough to answer, “Croix is so smart. She knows where I run and gives me the perfect pass.”
But Shelton wasn’t done with his professional act. His next question touched on the team’s injury struggles: “This squad has had injuries all year. With players returning now, what are your hopes for the rest of the season?” The question seemed like a playful shot at Rodman’s own recent injury concerns.
Must-watch TV! 📺@trinity_rodman had a very special guest interviewer after the match… 🤣 pic.twitter.com/nRiTMfjIs2
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 7, 2025
Rodman looked shocked by the pointed question but replied professionally, “It’s good to have a healthy group. Our goal is to keep winning and build momentum for the playoffs.” Shelton thanked the broadcast team and Rodman before concluding the interview, maintaining his calm and composed demeanor throughout the entire exchange.
What Makes Their Relationship So Special?
This on-camera moment highlighted the playful bond Shelton and Rodman share both publicly and privately. Rodman laughed freely at Shelton’s teasing, while he looked genuinely proud watching her succeed on the field. Their relationship demonstrates how they support each other across their respective sports.
The support flows both ways between the couple. Shelton has become a constant presence at Spirit home games, cheering loudly from the stands throughout the season. Meanwhile, Rodman regularly attends his tennis matches, including his recent US Open appearances in New York.
However, Shelton himself has faced recent challenges on the court. He was forced to retire from his US Open third-round match with a left shoulder injury and subsequently withdrew from the U.S. Davis Cup team. This marked the first time in his 178-match career that Shelton had to retire from a match.
Ben Shelton was forced to retire for the first time in 178 career matches.
He will be back, no doubt about that 👊 pic.twitter.com/dlm5Kajlbb
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2025
Despite the setback, Shelton remains upbeat and focused on his recovery. Their relationship continues to shine through these moments of mutual support and lighthearted teasing, showing that they consistently lift each other up both on the soccer field and tennis court.
