Rose Lavelle ‘hasn’t changed a bit' after legendary World Cup moment

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Rose Lavelle knows better than anyone how much more is expected of her at this Women's World Cup than at the last one four years ago in France.

On a steamy July 2019 afternoon in Lyon, one sweep of Lavelle's left foot late in the second half of the final against the Netherlands effectively guaranteed the United States its second consecutive title.

Everything has changed around Lavelle in the four years since.

That goal made the then-24-year-old a household name back home, the natural successor to established American World Cup stars such as Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. 

So, in Wednesday's high-stakes World Cup rematch with the Dutch (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, with kickoff at 9 p.m. on FOX and the FOX Sports app), the U.S.'s second group stage contest of the 2023 tournament, USWNT fans are counting on Lavelle to be the difference-maker. And she might well prove to be. 

But while this is a new tournament, a new team and a new time, Lavelle is in many ways still the same old Rose.

"I would've expected a moment like that to feel like I'm different or change me, you know?" Lavelle said when asked about the play that has defined her career to date. "But I don't really feel like it did. I feel like it was a goal, and it was fun. But I feel like I'm still just me."

Sitting next to her, U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski quickly interjected.

"Maybe Rose's life changed, but she hasn't changed a bit," Andonovski said. "She's still the same humble and great person."

[ Why USWNT believes Rose Lavelle is primed for World Cup encore ]

The touching, potentially even slightly awkward moment only lasted a second. Lavelle immediately swiveled her head, flashed a knowingly exaggerated