Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós was delighted to see star midfielder Rose Lavelle back in action after the 31-year-old missed 28 days due to a hamstring injury.
“Rose gives 300 percent in absolutely every action,” Amorós said during his post-match press conference following Gotham’s 1-0 home victory over the Houston Dash on Sunday.
Gotham FC Fans Welcome Back Star Midfielder
Loud cheers echoed around Sports Illustrated Stadium in the 62nd minute when Lavelle stepped onto the pitch. Lavelle and Emily Sonnett replaced midfielder Sarah Schupansky and captain Tierna Davidson as the Bats protected a one-goal lead.
Prior to Sunday, Lavelle most recently appeared in Gotham’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville on May 3. She had been playing some of her most influential football in a Gotham uniform, having been named to the NWSL Best XI for the month of April.
In her 28 minutes against the Dash, Lavelle made 24 touches and completed 94 percent of her passes. The 5-foot-4 midfielder won 4 of 5 ground duels, made three tackles and three recoveries.
Gotham greatly missed Lavelle’s box-to-box, all-action presence in recent Concacaf W Champions Cup defeats to Club América Femenil and Pachuca Femenil.
Emma Hayes Plans Careful Approach With USWNT Star
Lavelle was recently called up to the United States women’s national team ahead of a pair of June friendlies against nine-time South American champions Brazil.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes understands that Lavelle will need to be closely monitored with her minutes being managed as she works her way back to the starting XI for the United States and Gotham.
“We have to manage Rose,” Hayes said during her Wednesday press conference.
The two matches in Brazil will take place at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo on June 6 and Arena Castelão in Fortaleza on June 9. Five Gotham FC players — Lavelle, Davidson, Sonnett, Lilly Reale and Jaedyn Shaw were selected for Hayes’ 26-player roster.
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