MAKING THE CASE: Rose Lavelle for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
Lavelle Lands Nomination After Year of Career-Best Achievements Hydrated by BioSteel
After capping off one of her most consistent and productive years of her still young career, Rose Lavelle has been announced as one of finalists for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.
While nominees are selected by U.S. Soccer’s technical staff, fans will now have the opportunity to vote on select Player of the Year Awards, with the fan vote comprising 15% of the total vote. Voting for the awards starts Monday, Dec. 6 at 11:00 a.m. ET and closes on Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winners will be announced throughout the month of December.
- VOTE NOW: Fan Voting for Player of the Year Awards
Before voting, let’s look at the year that was for Lavelle:
- She tied for the team lead in total appearances in 2021, playing in 22 of the USA’s 24 matches while making 17 starts. She ranked fourth overall in minutes played with 1,411.
- The 26-year-old scored five goals and tallied five assists in 2021, both of which were her most ever in a calendar year for the USWNT. Her five assists were tied for second on the team this year and she ranked in the top-five in chances created with 19 on the year.
- Lavelle’s first goal of the year was a game-winner, scoring the lone goal against Canada in the USA’s first match at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup. She also added an assist in the tournament finale vs. Argentina and was named the SheBelieves Cup MVP.
Coming through clutch! 💥
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 19, 2021
Should this late game-winner earn @roselavelle the @Visa #SheBelievesCup MVP Award? YOU can vote on Feb. 24! pic.twitter.com/1TpK6tRgFb
- In total, Lavelle has accounted for four of the USA’s 18 game-winning goals (three goals and one assist on game-winners) since the resumption of play in November 2020.
- A first-time Olympian, Lavelle played in all six games in Tokyo, starting four, and scoring once. Her goal against New Zealand was the first goal scored by the USA in the group stage and she got the USA going in the penalty shootout victory vs. the Netherlands in the quarterfinal with a key conversion on the USA’s first attempt.
- Lavelle enjoyed a triumphant return to her hometown of Cincinnati for the USA’s match on Sept. 21, delighting the huge crowd by the scoring the first goal in the 8-0 win over Paraguay and then picked up three assists in the first 15 minutes of the match.
There's no place like home 🏡 @roselavelle got the hometown crowd going wild EARLY! pic.twitter.com/Uo8JxfpHBu
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) September 21, 2021
- While her world class abilities with the ball at her feet frequently draw attention, Lavelle was once again played a key role in the USA’s full-team defensive efforts and ranked third on the squad with 127 ball recoveries in 2021.
- Lavelle opened the year in England, where she helped Manchester City to a runner-up finish in the FA Women’s Super League and an appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinal. Lavelle made 16 appearances across all competitions for the Cityzens in 2021.
- After returning to the NWSL in mid-May, Lavelle also had a strong season for OL Reign, playing just over 1,000 minutes in her 12 starts, scoring once and adding an assist to help the Reign to a second-place finish during the regular season.
Research has shown that @roselavelle goals are good for the soul 😊 🙌
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) October 11, 2021
🎥 @NWSL pic.twitter.com/r1Ddp7D33G
This is Lavelle’s second nomination for U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and first since 2019. She was also nominated for the Young Female Player of the Year Award in 2014.