Gotham FC’s Rose Lavelle and Lilly Reale Recognized as U.S. Soccer Player and Young Player of the Year

Rose Lavelle has been named the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year for 2025.

Her teammate at Gotham FC, Lilly Reale, received the U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year award. Both players helped their club win the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League Championship.

Lavelle commented, “This past year reflects the incredible support I’ve had from my family, the medical staff at Gotham, my teammates, coaches, and friends. I wouldn’t be here without their support to get back on the field. This award really belongs to everyone who stood by me.”

For the national team, Lavelle made her debut on June 26, 2025, against the Republic of Ireland after recovering from an ankle injury. In her return, she scored and assisted a goal. She started five of six matches for the USWNT that year, scoring in two other games: one just 34 seconds into the game against Portugal (Oct. 26) and another against New Zealand (Oct. 29).

At Gotham FC, Lavelle started 13 of 16 regular-season matches, scoring five goals and assisting two others. She played in all three playoff games, scoring the winning goal in the NWSL Championship, which ended in a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. She was named the game’s MVP.

Lavelle received 29.2 percent of the ‘weighted’ vote for Player of the Year, followed by midfielder Sam Coffey at 23.9 percent and forward Catarina Macario at 22.3 percent. Other nominees included defender Emily Fox and forward Alyssa Thompson.