Women`s World Cup winner Rose Lavelle is nearing her return from an ankle injury. This comeback is set to provide a timely boost for both her NWSL club, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and the U.S. women`s national team (USWNT).
Lavelle has been sidelined since the USWNT`s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in December. She underwent surgery for the ankle injury shortly after and has spent the subsequent six months focused on recovery. Her long awaited return might finally happen this Saturday, where she is potentially available for her first game of the year as Gotham faces the Kansas City Current (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros indicated on Thursday that `if all goes well` in the final preparation stages, Lavelle could feature `in some sort of capacity` during the match.
The midfielder`s potential return comes at a crucial time for a significant matchup against the Current, who currently top the NWSL standings with eight wins from their first 10 games. Gotham, sitting in ninth place early in the season, could certainly benefit from her addition, despite having recently secured the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup title with a 1-0 win over Tigres last month.
Lavelle`s Impact on Gotham
Gotham is presently two points shy of a playoff position. With 16 games remaining, this margin is small enough to overcome, making Lavelle`s return opportune, especially given their current attacking output.
The reigning 2023 NWSL champions rank eighth in the league for goals scored, netting just 12 in 10 games, with seven coming from Spanish international Esther Gonzalez. Underlying statistics paint a similar picture, with Gotham also ranking eighth for total shots (120) and expected goals (11.9), while being sixth for shots on target (45). Defensively, they have been solid, conceding only 10 goals, which aligns with previous seasons under Coach Amoros.
Last season, Gotham also experienced a slow start but finished third in the table and reached the playoff semifinals, establishing themselves among the NWSL`s elite teams. The team`s defense was strong, but it took time for their offense to click. The attack notably improved after Lavelle returned from a lower leg injury in April. She went on to score eight goals and provide one assist in 23 appearances, finishing among the NWSL`s top 10 goalscorers alongside Gonzalez. A comparable contribution this season would be perfectly timed for Gotham.
Lavelle Adds Experience to USWNT
While USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is strategically integrating younger talent on the road to the 2027 Women`s World Cup, there remains valuable space for experienced veterans during this experimental phase. Defender Crystal Dunn has highlighted the role of veterans in demonstrating `how hard it is to be here,` a perspective Lavelle can certainly offer with her extensive experience. Lavelle boasts participation in two World Cups and two Olympics, having won one title in each major tournament.
Beyond her experience, Lavelle brings significant on-field qualities. She has been a vital presence in the USWNT midfield for years, frequently facilitating opportunities for the forwards in a team renowned for its attacking style. Her precise return date to the national team setup is not yet clear, as Hayes prefers players to be fully fit before reintegration. However, her return will undoubtedly inject offensive creativity into the team during this period of transition.
Hayes has stated her goal to have a comprehensive understanding of her player pool by the conclusion of the next international window in early July, although she still has flexibility to fine-tune her options. She has primarily alternated between Lindsey Horan and Lily Yohannes in the attacking midfield role over the past six months. Lavelle`s availability will provide another high-quality option as Hayes works towards solidifying the optimal squad and lineup for 2027.
