Rose Lavelle - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Rosemary Kathleen Lavelle, known as Rose Lavelle, was born on May 14, 1995, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She had an affinity for soccer from a young age, influenced heavily by the 1999 Women's World Cup. As a child, she often played with her three older siblings and was a part of several youth leagues, developing her skills over time.
College Career
Rose attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2013 to 2016 where she played for the Badgers. Her performance during these years earned her several accolades. Throughout her college career, she scored 22 goals, made 19 assists, and participated in 84 matches. This performance solidified her as one of the top talents in college soccer, catching the attention of professional scouts and team owners.
Professional Career
Lavelle began her professional soccer journey in 2017 when she was picked as the first overall by the Boston Breakers in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft. Her performance during her debut year earned her a place in the NWSL Second XI team. Lavelle's tenure with the Boston Breakers, however, ended early into her second season as a result of the team's dissolution. She was then picked up by the Washington Spirit during the dispersal draft, where she continued to impress with her performances.
International Career
Lavelle represented the United States at the youth level, participating in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada and the 2013 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in the Cayman Islands. She received her first senior team call-up in 2015 but only made her full debut in 2017 during a friendly against England. Lavelle was later named in the roster for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup and subsequently the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Lavelle’s critical performances in France at the World Cup noticeably contributed as the U.S. retained their title, and she was awarded the Bronze Ball as a recognition for being the tournament's third-best player.
Move to Europe
In August 2020, Lavelle signed a one-year contract with Manchester City, a top women's football club in England. This move signified her first professional stint outside of the United States. Her first season with Manchester City saw her compete in the FA Women’s Super League, the Women's FA Cup and the Women's UEFA Champions League, reaching the latter's quarterfinals.
Return to NWSL
Rose Lavelle returned to NWSL during the 2021 season, signing with OL Reign. Not long after, she was loaned to San Diego Wave FC for their inaugural 2023 season. Lavelle had become a known face in women's soccer during her years in the NWSL, showcasing both her talent and passion for the sport.
Playing Style
Rose Lavelle is appreciated for her unique playing style, which combines technical skill with great creativity. She is considered one of the best midfielders in the world. Lavelle is renowned for her agility, ball control, and her ability to surprise defenders with quick changes in direction. As an attacking midfielder, she is also recognized for her scoring ability, particularly her long-range shooting, as well as her capacity to provide assists for her teammates.
Honors and Awards
Throughout her career, Lavelle has earned many individual accolades, including the Bronze Ball from the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and being named in the 2020 FIFPro World XI. As part of the U.S. women's national team, she won the 2019 Women's World Cup, multiple SheBelieves Cups, and the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship. During her stint with Manchester City, she won the 2020 Women's FA Cup.
