Photo Copyright Brett Phibbs for USA TODAY Sports
New York is an artist’s paradise, and for Rose Lavelle, the ball is her paintbrush and the pitch is her canvas.
The Cincinnati native, known for creating magic with the ball at her feet, has made 92 appearances for the US women’s national team scoring 24 goals and notching 21 assists since her debut in 2017 – which was, perhaps serendipitously, at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, the home of NJ/NY Gotham FC.
“Rose is a really special player, as are a lot of players on our roster, but I think her ability to do the unexpected and to delight her teammates, delight the crowd and her effectiveness on the ball is something that would benefit any team,” Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West told The Equalizer. “There’s a lot she can do for us and we’re hoping that we can do a lot for her as well.”
The decorated midfielder now joins the defending NWSL Champions in the team’s quest for a second title. Lavelle, who became a household name after her championship-securing goal in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, could be just the piece Gotham needs to continue growing its program and keep up in the ever-changing and evolving landscape of the ultra-competitive NWSL. .
“For me it just felt like a really great fit in every aspect,” Lavelle said at Gotham’s media day at Rockefeller Center last month. “On the field or off the field, it felt like somewhere I could settle in and be comfortable but also would push me in ways that I probably don’t even know yet but I’m excited to see. It was a really good opportunity for growth and development in every realm of my life.”
Access the best women’s soccer coverage all year long
Start your FREE, 7-day trial of The Equalizer Extra for industry-leading reporting and insight on the USWNT, NWSL and beyond.
