Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Rose Lavelle is staying in New York.
According to Jeff Kassouf, founder of The Equalizer and contributor at ESPN, the midfielder has signed a deal through the 2029 National Women’s Soccer League season. Furthermore, the deal, according to ESPN, will include the league’s new High Impact Player (HIP) rule.
While Gotham FC has not confirmed the signing — nor the dollar amount — Kassouf reported that the deal will exceed the league’s salary cap. Each club has a base cap of $3.5 million for a 22-to-26 player roster.
Lavelle was set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 NWSL season. The U.S. women’s national team midfielder has started 46 of 56 matches for Gotham, since joining the club in 2024. She has scored 16 goals and provided three assists. Lavelle scored the game-winning goal in the 2025 NWSL Championship against the Washington Spirit.
Previously, Lavelle featured for the Seattle Reign from 2021-23, the Washington Spirit from 2018-19 and the former Boston Breakers in 2017. Additionally, she played one season in England’s FA Women’s Super League with Manchester City, where she started three matches in 16 appearances.
Lavelle, who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, has scored 29 goals in 122 appearances for the United States. She was on the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning squad, and holds a bronze medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She is a two-time Concacaf Women’s Championship winner, as well.
