Gotham FC will be without star midfielder Rose Lavelle when they take on the Boston Legacy FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday.
The 30-year-old was named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month for April on Tuesday, but the latest NWSL Availability Report rules out Lavelle with a hamstring injury.
Lavelle received on-field treatment during last Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC. She was substituted in the 73rd minute.
How Gotham Could Line up Without Lavelle
Her absence on Saturday could hand a start to Lilly Reale, provided that the left-back is ready to return to the starting XI. If Reale is able to start, her return would push forward Guro Reiten to her natural left-wing with Jaedyn Shaw shifting to Lavelle’s central attacking midfield role.
Alternatively, head Juan Carlos Amorós could start either Sarah Schupansky or Sofia Cook in Lavelle’s place.
Lavelle missed a large portion of the 2025 season due to ankle surgery, but she recovered in time to return last June and played a major role in capturing Gotham’s second NWSL championship in three years by scoring the match-winner in last November’s 2025 NWSL Championship victory over the Washington Spirit.
Sonnett Upgraded To Questionable Ahead of Boston Legacy Rematch
In more encouraging news for the Bats, defender Emily Sonnett (lower leg injury) has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s match. Sonnett has missed three consecutive matches for Gotham after she played 65 minutes for the United States women’s national team on April 14.
Bruninha (hamstring) and Mandy Freeman (lower leg) remain out, while Kayla Duran and Taryn Torres are out for the season due to knee injuries.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Bats will look to extend their winning streak to four with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and USWNT head coach Emma Hayes in attendance.
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