Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle was substituted in the first half of her team’s scoreless draw with Angel City FC on Sunday due to a head injury.
Lavelle’s head slammed to the ground after she got tangled up with an Angel City defender just after the half-hour mark.
The United States international was evaluated by trainers on the field for several minutes before walking off the field and straight to the locker room at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Lavelle looked visibly shaken.
A Gotham FC spokesperson said on Sunday night that Lavelle was being evaluated for a head injury. Gotham FC acting head coach Shaun Harris said after the match that he had “no updates on Rose.”
Read more:Shelley Fabares, ‘Johnny Angel’ singer and actor in ‘The Donna Reed Show’ and ‘Coach,’ dies at 82
Gotham used an official concussion substitution to replace Lavelle with defender Mandy Freeman in the 37th minute.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal when players go down early in the game, and obviously Rose is a key part of our team,” Harris said. “At the same time, everyone kind of knows the roles and responsibilities of each position and we have players who are able to step in and fill those roles.”
Angel City and Gotham FC played to a scoreless and each earned a point, which extended Gotham’s lead atop the NWSL standings to seven points.
Read more:Liverpool’s Andoni Iraola: Newcastle draw a ‘good step’ for Alexander Isak
Angel City FC goalkeeper Angelina Anderson saved Gotham FC defender Guro Reiten’s penalty kick in the 87th minute to preserve the shutout. Gotham FC forward Sam Kerr hit the crossbar moments later.
Lavelle has been instrumental to Gotham’s success this season, scoring four goals in 19 matches. Lavelle scored the game-winning goal in last year’s NWSL Championship to clinch a second league title in three years for Gotham FC. She has dealt with various injuries in the past, including ankle surgery in early 2025.
Gotham is now unbeaten in nine straight matches. Sunday’s result marked Angel City’s fourth straight draw.
