U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has said her “sole focus” is on ensuring Rose Lavelle is fit to face Zambia in Thursday’s Olympic opener.
Lavelle was named in the starting lineup for last week’s Olympic send-off friendly against Costa Rica, but was a late scratch after dealing with tightness in her groin.
The NJ/NY Gotham FC star has been in excellent form and her ability as an attacking midfielder is crucial for the USWNT — especially after Catarina Macario was forced out of the Olympics with a knee injury.
On Tuesday, two days ahead of the team’s Olympic opener, Hayes told the media that “everybody’s available for selection as of today” for the match against Zambia.
But the coach also indicated that the fitness of Lavelle isn’t a sure thing.
“My only focus is on winning the first game,” Hayes said. “It’s always a mistake when you think or talk in any other way. You have to win the first game. You then have to compete to win the second, you then have to win the group and only then can you be in a position to discuss anything else. For me, our sole focus is on getting Rose right for the Zambia game.”
Should Lavelle be unable to face Zambia, Hayes could take advantage of a new roster rule to replace the 29-year-old.
This Olympics, roster alternates are able to replace injured players on a game-by-game basis. That means Hayes could replace Lavelle on the roster for Zambia, and then bring Lavelle back for the team’s second game if she’s fit.
If Hayes opts to replace Lavelle with one of her four alternates, Washington Spirit rookie star Croix Bethune appears to be the most likely option as a like-for-like change. The other two non-goalkeeper alternates are defender Emily Sams and midfielder Hal Hershfelt.
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