Rose Lavelle made her return to competition after six months on the sidelines, playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC in their 2-1 loss to Kansas City Current. The midfielder underwent ankle surgery following a December match with the U.S. Women’s National Team and has been recovering ever since.
Lavelle’s Performance
Lavelle felt good physically despite being rusty due to her prolonged absence from soccer. Her return was met with enthusiasm from Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, who praised Lavelle’s unique abilities and impact on the game.
“A player that can basically do everything at such a high level,” Amoros said of Lavelle.
Match Overview
The match between Gotham FC and Kansas City Current was marked by several controversies, including:
- Multiple VAR stoppages
- Unclear communication between referees and players regarding offside calls
These issues added complexity to an already challenging game for both teams.
Injuries Impacting Kansas City Current
Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta was absent from the match due to a minor knee injury sustained while training with the USWNT. LaBonta’s importance as a leader on her team was emphasized by head coach Matt Andonovski, but she could not participate in this crucial matchup against NJ/NY Gotham FC.
In addition to LaBonta, other injured starters included:
- Debinha (knee)
- Alana Cook (ACL/MCL/meniscus)
Both were also unable to play for Kansas City Current in their 2-1 loss.
Game Highlights
The first half of the game saw both teams struggling with possession control as they battled through heavy rain conditions at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Despite these challenges, neither team managed to find much success moving forward or creating scoring opportunities.
However, things changed dramatically after halftime when Kansas City Current’s Diana Ordonez scored two goals within four minutes of each other midway through the second half, giving her team all they would need en route to a 2-1 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Key Goals by Diana Ordonez
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First Goal:
- Ordonez opened the scoring just past midfield when she received a pass from teammate Kristen Hamilton downfield. She beat defender Gabrielle DiBernardo into space and unleashed a shot that beat goalkeeper Casey Murphy low into the left corner just past the minute mark into the second half.
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Second Goal:
- Just four minutes later, Ordonez struck again, finding space behind the defense and unleashing a shot that beat Murphy low into the right corner, securing the victory for Kansas City Current.
Final Match Details
- Match: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current
- Location: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
- Date: Sunday, April 16th
- Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
- Final Score: Kansas City Current 2, NJ/NY Gotham FC 1
This match marked a significant moment for Lavelle as she returned to the field, despite the challenges faced by her team.
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