Women`s World Cup champion Rose Lavelle is on the verge of returning from an ankle injury. Her potential comeback could provide a significant and timely lift for both her NWSL team, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and the U.S. women`s national team.

Lavelle has been sidelined since the USWNT`s 2-1 win against the Netherlands in December, having undergone surgery for her ankle shortly thereafter. She has spent the subsequent six months rehabilitating. Her long period away from the pitch might conclude on Saturday, when she could play her first game of the year as Gotham hosts the Kansas City Current. Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros commented on Thursday that if everything progresses well in the final hours before the match, Lavelle could participate “in some sort of capacity.”

The midfielder`s return would be for a crucial encounter against the Current, who currently lead the NWSL standings with eight victories from their initial 10 games this season. Gotham FC could certainly use the reinforcement, as they currently sit in ninth place early in the campaign. However, they recently celebrated winning the first edition of the Concacaf W Champions Cup, beating Tigres 1-0 in the final just last month.

Lavelle`s Significance for Gotham FC

Gotham is presently two points outside of a playoff spot, a small deficit that is recoverable with 16 games remaining in the season. This means Lavelle`s return couldn`t be more timely, especially considering their inconsistent performance reflected in their attacking output this season.

The reigning 2023 NWSL champions rank eighth in the league for goals scored, netting only 12 in 10 matches. Notably, seven of these goals were scored by a single player, Spain international Esther Gonzalez. Underlying statistics show a similar trend, with Gotham ranking eighth in the league for shots (120) and expected goals (11.9), and sixth for shots on target (45). They have conceded 10 goals, maintaining a defensive balance similar to previous seasons under Amoros.

Last season, Gotham also started slowly before finishing third in the table and reaching the playoff semifinals, establishing themselves among the NWSL`s top-tier teams. The squad, then as now, was defensively sound but took time to unleash its offensive potential. The attacking effectiveness eventually improved significantly upon Lavelle`s return from a lower leg injury in April. She went on to score eight goals and provide one assist in 23 appearances, becoming one of two Gotham players (alongside Gonzalez) to finish in the NWSL`s top 10 scorers. A similar positive impact on Gotham`s offense is anticipated this season, arriving at an opportune moment.

Lavelle Adds Experience to USWNT

While USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is strategically incorporating younger players as she prepares for the 2027 Women`s World Cup, veteran talent remains vital during this period of transition and experimentation. Defender Crystal Dunn has described the role of veterans as demonstrating “how hard it is to be here,” a perspective Lavelle embodies with her wealth of experience. Lavelle boasts participation in two World Cups (with one win) and two Olympics (with one gold medal).

This is in addition to Lavelle`s technical and tactical contributions on the field. She has been an influential presence in the USWNT`s midfield for years, frequently creating scoring chances for forwards in a team renowned for its attacking prowess. The exact date of her return to the national team setup is uncertain, particularly as Hayes prefers a cautious approach to bringing players back from injury. Nevertheless, her eventual inclusion will introduce valuable offensive creativity to the team during this phase of rebuilding.

Coach Hayes previously mentioned her goal to have a comprehensive understanding of her player pool by the end of the next international window in early July, although she maintains flexibility in her selections. Over the past six months, she has primarily rotated between Lindsey Horan and Lily Yohannes in the attacking midfield role. Lavelle`s return will provide another strong option in that position as Hayes begins to finalize the optimal squad and lineup for the 2027 campaign.