Lavelle scratched from USWNT lineup vs. Costa Rica

Minutes before kickoff, the USWNT star was removed from the team’s starting lineup to face Costa Rica

The U.S. women’s national team made a surprise, last-second lineup change for Tuesday’s Olympic send-off friendly against Costa Rica.

Rose Lavelle had been named to Emma Hayes’ initial starting 11 for the match in Washington, D.C., but barely 10 minutes before kickoff, U.S. Soccer announced that the NJ/NY Gotham FC star was a late scratch.

Per the official team announcement, Lavelle was experiencing “leg tightness.” Per U.S. Soccer communications staff, the move was made out of an abundance of caution on a night that saw temperatures at kickoff hovering in the upper 90s.

Lavelle was replaced in the lineup by Korbin Albert, and was seen walking without issue to the USWNT bench shortly before the match kicked off.

Following the match, USWNT coach Emma Hayes said the issue was groin tightness, and emphasized that she was taking “no risks” with her squad. Lavelle is expected to be fit in time for the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia on July 25.

The choice of Albert rather than Jaedyn Shaw — widely perceived to be in line for more minutes as an attacking midfielder after Catarina Macario’s withdrawal from the roster — could point towards a more cautious approach from Hayes at the Olympics.

The 18-player U.S. roster has few other options if Lavelle’s injury turns out to be more serious. Crystal Dunn has extensive experience in the midfield. However, Washington Spirit playmaker Croix Bethune, who leads the NWSL in assists this season, is available as an alternate.

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