Rose Lavelle is a difference-maker. You don’t have to look far to see that. In the 2019 World Cup final, she provided the memorable insurance goal for the United States in a 2-0 win over the Netherlands on the way to the nation’s fourth World Cup trophy. But that one moment, seeing space and taking on two Dutch defenders isn’t all there is to Lavelle’s role in this team.
She’s a player with strong 1v1 capability, someone who finds space even in the tightest of areas and is a crucial link to the U.S. attack in the final third. And, to head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s potential dismay: even if she starts against the Netherlands on Wednesday, she isn’t likely a 90-minute player just yet.
Before the 2023 World Cup, there was a question about whether Lavelle could be counted on to feature in every match after suffering an injury in the second game of the NWSL season. Even when Lavelle made the roster, her lack of minutes made it clear she’d need to be eased back into action.
“We’re happy with the players that we have in that position, which is Ashley Sanchez and Sav(annah) DeMelo. If needed at certain points over certain games, we feel comfortable with them stepping in,” Andonovski said the day the USWNT roster was released. “With Sav DeMelo, in the last few…
