Ellis’s tinkering with different combinations has been purposeful, given the quick turnarounds. Lavelle made her World Cup debut with two goals and an assist in her team’s opening game, a 13-0 thrashing of Thailand, then sat out against Chile, a 3-0 victory, as Ellis rested seven starters. She returned against Sweden, and helped the United States press their attacks from the opening minute.

“You can see what she is capable of doing in terms of the final pass, in terms of being dangerous with the shot, the pass, the separation she can create,” Ellis said. “She’s one of the best players in the air …”

As Ellis continued, Lavelle contorted her face, disagreeing with her coach about her ability in the air. “You are, Rose,” Ellis continued. “Your timing is really good and we have some beasties in the air, but you get up there.”

Despite Lavelle’s current status, her spot on the World Cup roster wasn’t always assured, given her struggles with a series of hamstring injuries. Two years ago, she made her first national team appearance, scored her first international goal and after a standout career at Wisconsin became the first pick in the National Women’s Soccer League draft. But an injury cut her rookie season short.

“They always had this belief in me that I was going to come back and be the same player I was before I got hurt,” Lavelle said about the national team’s coaches. “Knowing that I had their confidence helped me get back to that point.”