Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh see action as USA beats Sweden in Group F finale

Washington Spirit  |   June 20, 2019
Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh see action as USA beats Sweden in Group F finale Featured Image

LE HAVRE, FRANCE – JUNE 20: Rose Lavelle #16, Caroline Seger #17 during a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between the United States and Sweden at Stade Océane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France.

By Owen Krucoff
Washingtonspirit.com

Boyds, Md., (6/20/19) – Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle and Spirit forward Mallory Pugh each took part in the U.S. women’s national team’s 2-0 victory over Sweden on Thursday at Stade Océane in Le Havre, France.

The victory completed a perfect run through Group F at the World Cup for the Americans, who will advance to the round of 16 as one of the teams to beat in the tournament.

Lavelle earned her second start of the tournament, playing 63 minutes in the heart of the American midfield. She continued in her usual role of building attacking chances with her creative play, and also took four shots, including one on goal in the 42nd minute. She was replaced by Christen Press after being on the field for both U.S. goals.

Lavelle played a total of 120 minutes in her two group stage appearances, scoring two goals from a total of four attempts on target. She looks likely to maintain her spot in the starting lineup as knockout play begins.

Pugh entered the Sweden match in the 83rd minute when she came on for Megan Rapinoe. The forward finished the group stage as one of just six Americans to appear in all three games. Her goal and assist in the opener against Thailand will go down as the highlights of her 118 minutes of action.

After topping Group F with the maximum nine points, the U.S. will begin their knockout round journey in Rheims, the same city where they began their World Cup run with a historic 13-0 rout of Thailand.

Stade Auguste-Delaune will be the site of the round of 16 match against Group B runners-up Spain. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on Monday on Fox Sports 1.

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