On Saturday afternoon in Auckland, the United States secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the smooth opening matchup of the 2023 World Cup. Throughout the game, the Americans displayed a solid performance, although not without a few minor flaws.

Under the leadership of head coach Vlatko Andonovski, the U.S. team has faced criticism for sometimes playing conservatively, doing just enough to advance rather than dominating their opponents. While the 3-0 win against Vietnam may not completely dispel such impressions, it was a strong statement of their capabilities against an outmatched opponent.

During the final 30 minutes of the match, the introduction of Rose Lavelle into the American midfield brought about a sense of assurance and cohesion. Her presence added a foundation of stability to the team’s play, which was evident in their improved performance during that period.

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Who is Rose Lavelle?

Rosemary Kathleen Lavelle, a professional soccer player for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)’s OL Reign and the American national team, was born on May 14, 1995.

Before making her senior international debut in 2017, Lavelle represented the United States at various youth levels. Her professional career commenced with the Boston Breakers in 2016, following her successful NCAA career with the Wisconsin Badgers. A year later, she transferred to the Washington Spirit.

During the 2019 World Cup, Lavelle started in six games for the United States, scoring three goals, and received the prestigious Bronze Ball award. Her outstanding performances also earned her a spot in the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI and the sixth position in The Best FIFA Football Awards, recognizing her as one of the top players globally. Additionally, she contributed to the United States winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics by scoring one goal.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rosemary was raised alongside her three siblings, John, Nora, and Mary, by her parents Marty and Janet.

Her passion for soccer began at a young age when she joined the GSSA Sycamore United Club, and later progressed through the ranks playing for Lakota United Soccer Club and Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club. Her skills were honed by her longtime soccer trainer Neil Bradford, who recognized her potential as a future member of the Women’s Soccer National Team when she was just eight years old.

As a child, Lavelle’s admiration for professional soccer player Mia Hamm led her to choose Hamm as the subject of her third-grade book report.

During her time at Mount Notre Dame High School, Lavelle played varsity girls’ soccer for four years and was voted Cincinnati’s Player of the Year in her final year by The Cincinnati Enquirer. She showcased her talent by leading her team with 15 goals (38 points) in one season and concluding her high school career with an impressive tally of 57 goals, making her the team’s top scorer. Her exceptional performances earned her recognition, including being selected twice for the NSCAA All-Region team and receiving first-team all-state honors.

In 2013, Lavelle was honored with the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Sports Women of the Year award.

Lavelle’s journey with the United States national team began with her call-up to train with the senior squad on November 24, 2015. She earned her first senior international cap on March 4, 2017, during a match against England at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup. Notably, she was part of the Victory Tour after the 2015 Women’s World Cup, and her outstanding performance in a match against England earned her the Player of the Match title.

She continued to shine and was added to the national team roster for the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, a qualifying event for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. During the championship, she scored three goals in five games, including the opening minute goal in the final against Canada, which secured a 2-0 victory and the second consecutive CONCACAF title for the United States.

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During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in France, Lavelle showcased her talent and played an instrumental role in the United States’ success. Starting in six games, she scored three goals and was honored with the Bronze Ball, recognizing her as the third-best player in the competition.

In the opening group round match against Thailand, Lavelle scored twice, contributing to the team’s overwhelming 13-0 victory. She also earned a penalty kick in the knockout round game against Spain, which was converted into a goal by Megan Rapinoe, securing a 2-1 win and advancing the U.S. team to the quarterfinals. In the championship game against the Netherlands, Lavelle netted the second goal, leading the United States to a 2-0 victory and claiming the World Cup title.

Her remarkable performances also earned her recognition on the international stage. She was voted as one of the top three midfielders in the world by her fellow professionals in the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI. Additionally, Lavelle was selected as one of the top 11 players in the world by The Best FIFA Football Awards, finishing in the sixth position.

In July 2021, she was named to the roster for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. During the Olympic Games, the U.S. team secured the bronze medal, overcoming Australia 4-3 in the third-place playoff after a 1-0 loss to Canada in the semifinals. Lavelle played in all six of the team’s matches during the Olympics and contributed with one goal, which she scored in a convincing 6-1 victory over New Zealand in the group stage.