The Kansas City Current beat hosts Gotham FC 2-1 in a rain-soaked, high-drama Saturday afternoon matchup that saw the return of Gotham’s preternatural midfielder Rose Lavelle.
The U.S. women’s national team star had been out with an ankle injury for the past six months and was involved in the Current’s own goal that put Gotham on the board.
“It was a long recovery, long rehab process, and it’s definitely still a journey,” said Lavelle, who subbed on in the 74th minute and immediately injected much-needed panache into Gotham’s efforts.
The 30-year-old Cincinnati native revealed that her ankle surgery was the first time she’d undergone a medical procedure in her career.
“I definitely was a little naive to what that entailed, so it was definitely a lot harder than I anticipated,” she said, though she maintained the timeline of her return was “what it was expected to be.” Lavelle credited Gotham’s medical staff and the USWNT, saying they coordinated with her club and were “staying connected and keeping in touch with how I’ve been feeling.”
The Current, semifinalists last season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), remain at the top of the table and pounced on Gotham early. Michelle Cooper tallied a goal in the third minute with a tidy finish…
