Cincinnati-native Rose Lavelle on USWNT World Cup qualification and an NWSL expansion bid

Charlie Hatch | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Cincy-native and USWNT player Rose Lavelle after World Cup qualification Cincinnati-native and USWNT player Rose Lavelle speaks to the media ahead of FC Cincinnati’s playoff match.

Saturday afternoon, Rose Lavelle stood in the Nippert Stadium press box with an orange Futbol Club Cincinnati scarf around her neck. Wednesday night, she scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 United States women's national team win over Canada to clinch the 2018 Concacaf Women's Championship.

The Cincinnati-native, who attended Mount Notre Dame High School, is also a national-team regular who helped the U.S. secure a place at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup next summer in France.

While her spot on a World Cup roster is months away from security, the midfielder is the face of women's soccer in Cincinnati and a role model for younger players, similar to players she grew up emulating, such as Heather Mitts.

"It's something I've always dreamt about doing growing up," Lavelle said before FC Cincinnati's playoff game against Nashville SC. "To actually be doing it is kind of crazy. I think how much it can mean having a Cincinnati player on the team like Heather Mitts on the team.

"It's awesome that I can hopefully serve as that same example for younger girls in the area."

Thirteen months ago, Lavelle played for the national team at Nippert Stadium in a 5-0 win over New Zealand in an international friendly. Overall, she has 18 caps for the national team, scoring six goals.

Women's professional soccer in Cincinnati?

Lavell currently plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League.

Earlier this month, FC Cincinnati expressed interest in applying for an NWSL expansion team once the MLS club is playing in its West End Stadium. Lavelle things it's a great idea.

"I love it. I mean, of course I love playing in (Washington) D.C. too, but if Cincinnati ever got a team, I think it’d be so awesome whatever team I was playing on to be able to come home and play here," she said. "All my family travels a lot to all my games, so to be able to come here and play in front of them would be so special."

Based on what FC Cincinnati's accomplished so far, the American international is confident the club could establish a successful women's team as well.

"They’ve already showcased it with the USL team," she said. "Cincinnati is a very underrated soccer city and it has a lot of young talent, and I think that’s going to draw a lot of people to the games. Also, it kinda helps serve as inspiration for younger players that can play on this team someday."