By Owen Krucoff

Washingtonspirit.com

Boyds, Md., (7/17/19) – Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle has earned worldwide recognition for her performances in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. This week, she will be honored much closer to home when she appears at an MLS game and a public celebration in her hometown of Cincinnati.

After emerging as a breakout star for the title-winning USA squad and scoring a fantastic goal in the World Cup final, Lavelle won the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player. Lavelle has since taken part in celebrations in New York, Los Angeles and D.C., but will return to her roots this Thursday and Friday in one of America’s rising soccer cities.

Lavelle will first be honored at halftime of Thursday night’s MLS match between FC Cincinnati and D.C. United, as her adopted home clashes with her original home. With FC Cincinnati taking part in its inaugural season as an MLS expansion team, this will be the first-ever professional soccer meeting between the two cities. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.

The following day, Mayor John Cranley and the City of Cincinnati will celebrate Lavelle at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. The public event will begin at 12 p.m. ET.

Lavelle was born and raised in Cincinnati and played at Mount Notre Dame High School. She was named Cincinnati Player of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer during her senior season and earned the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Sports Woman of the Year award in 2013.

After the Cincinnati festivities, Lavelle will return to the DMV for the Spirit’s home contest against the Houston Dash on Saturday. She and Pugh will both be present for the first time since winning the World Cup.

Kickoff at the Maryland SoccerPlex is set for 7 p.m. The Spirit will be celebrating First Responders Night, and First Responders can get $10 off Hill/General Admission tickets by using the code 1STRESPONDERS at checkout. [TICKETS]