Bio
A vital figure for the United States national team since 2017, the midfielder made the move to the Academy Stadium after four seasons in the National Women's Soccer League, following in the footsteps of international teammate Sam Mewis who joined the Club earlier this month.
Fast approaching a half century of caps for her country and boasting 12 goals from midfield, Lavelle is one of the team’s brightest stars.
Last summer, she won the Bronze Ball at the World Cup in France and scored in the 2-0 Final victory over the Netherlands, as the Stars and Stripes clinched the trophy for the fourth time.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lavelle played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin before stints with Boston Breakers and Washington Spirit, where she was #1 pick in the NWSL College Draft and Dispersal Draft respectively.
Moving to Washington Spirit in 2018, she immediately impressed for the DC area outfit and was consequently awarded a place in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League Best XI and 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI.
Internationally, Lavelle began representing her homeland at Under-18 level in 2013 and won the Golden Ball at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championship before leading the team at the 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored once and had two assists.
She was handed her debut for the senior side against England in the SheBelieves Cup in March 2017 and has since gone on to savour silverware success with the 2018 Tournament of Nations, 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, 2019 World Cup and 2020 SheBelieves Cup earlier this year.