Days before joining the U.S. women’s national team for friendlies and the upcoming CONCACAF W Championship, Rose Lavelle was ruled out of OL Reign’s match Saturday with an ankle injury.
Lavelle was a very late addition to the injury report, with the official word coming from NWSL barely more than half an hour before the Reign were to kick off against Angel City FC. No further details were provided.
Lavelle has long been Vlatko Andonovski’s starting No. 10 with the USWNT, and has also been among the best players in the entire NWSL this season. She was named to the Challenge Cup Best XI and made the NWSL Team of the Month for May.
Long tagged as injury prone, Lavelle has been healthy all season as well, playing 1,045 minutes for the Reign between NWSL league play and Challenge Cup this season.
The USWNT squad announced for this window includes only one natural attacking midfielder, the Washington Spirit’s Ashley Sanchez. If Lavelle’s injury keeps her out for more time, Andonovski could also call on Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis, or even the uncapped Taylor Kornieck in her spot.
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