USWNT

Scenes from the U.S. Women's National Team women's soccer friendly against Argentina in Lynn Family Stadium on Oct. 30, 2024.

 Ian Burkhead Cunningham

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There are players whose names carry more weight.

Donning the United States Women's National Soccer Team crest does enough of that lifting for most individuals, when gold crosses continents and packs stadiums, like Louisville's Lynn Family Stadium when the reigning Olympic gold medalists beat Argentina 3-0 in front of a sellout crowd Wednesday night: 13,543 fans. 

"I know the team were very excited for this camp in particular to be in Austin, Nashville and here," USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said. "Just seeing different venues, getting the chance to see different fans."

Still, when you don't have to say much to know a player is not just good, but *that* good, then you do what Hayes did when describing someone who needs no introduction in any venue or to any soccer fan: the decorated American artist known as Rose Lavelle.

Rose Lavelle

"Rose is weird and wonderful in every way, and unique," Hayes said. "But a very cultured football player that the country should be, how do I put it ...

"When you go anywhere in the world, and they talk about players in this country, Rose Lavelle is always the first name on everyone's lips."

Her reputation was grown in Cincinnati, is proven around the globe and still revered throughout this region. You saw it with her 100th cap ceremony, where the proud Ohioan wanted it to be so she could easily see her loved ones, and with the amount of young fans yelling her name in hopes of a postgame autograph at Racing Louisville Football Club matches whenever she has visited with other National Women's Soccer League clubs.

Rose Lavelle and Taylor Flint

On June 15, 2024 at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, K.Y. (Ariana Shchuka/WDRB News)

"I knew this place was going to be bumping," Lavelle said. "It's such an underrated soccer area. I think so many people have so much pride for where they're from. I think everyone shows up hard for their sports teams, which I love so much."

The Buckeye happiest to see her friends, family and beloved English bulldog Wilma included in her homecoming did not have to look far to see another point of proof. She happily pointed out the hometown hero in this bourbon capital finale of a celebration tour...is also an Ohio native.

"She's so dangerous," Lavelle said of Racing rookie and first-time USWNT forward Emma Sears. "She's a great player. But she's also a great, funny person."

It took time for everyone to see it. Sears has been a surprise to many, even her parents Lyndsay and Robin.

"For us, it's one of those moments where you literally have to pinch yourself," her father Robin said. "It's unbelievable, but it's so much fun. And we're so very proud of her."

Just days earlier, they saw their second-round pick of a daughter with zero previous national team experience become the fourth American woman to ever debut with a goal and assist. In Nashville, their seats were positioned where Sears ran right in her parents' direction on her goal in a 3-1 win over Iceland.

"And now to be here, in front of a hometown crowd, is just amazing," Lyndsay Sears said. 

"We've been here a lot to Louisville," Robin Sears said. "Lyndsay and I have fallen in love with the city. And so has Emma."

"You can feel the family feel around here," Hayes said. "You could certainly feel the excitement. Someone said to me as I walked around, 'You're our second-favorite Emma here,' which I thought was quite funny."

The Dublin, Ohio native and Ohio State product has never presented herself as one who ever doubted she would have the type of moment Wednesday night presented: walking out on her home club's field as a first-time national team starter during a brilliant debut of a camp. 

"It was surreal, for sure," Sears said. "It's definitely a different vibe when I'm wearing a different jersey in my home stadium.

"But I couldn't be happier to represent this crest and this country. It was a surreal opportunity for me. But it was amazing to have a full stadium and the energy was unmatched."

"As soon as she got in and played, she very much is herself and has that confidence," veteran USWNT defender Emily Fox, a former Racing Louisville FC representative on this national team, said. "And that's definitely what you need at the highest level."

USWNT Emma Sears

Emma Sears celebrates a Naomi Girma goal during the US Women's National soccer team's win over Argentina in an international Friendly on Oct. 30, 2024, in Lynn Family Stadium.

Fox would know. Now a regular for one of the most respected clubs in the world in the Women's Super League's Arsenal, she previously starred in Louisville and for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League. 

Not as many people were in this same stadium then, and not enough show up consistently now, to see talents like the former 2021 first overall pick in the NWSL Draft play. Still, there were plenty in the crowd who remembered her start at Racing, as they recognized her second-half substitution with a nice ovation.

"It was really special," Fox said. "I came back here when I was with the Courage and it was really weird to be in the away team's position in terms of staying at the hotel and not going back to the facility or the apartment I called home for two years. 

"It feels really nice to be back. I feel like Louisville has some of the best fans."

Fox feels that way after seeing some of the best and worst of Racing's four years as a young professional franchise. She still appreciates the two seasons she played here.

"I feel like the club has done an amazing job of having a 360 and really improving," Fox said. "Having (Racing general manager) Ryan Dell and getting a bunch of talented players, I feel like the club has done a really good job of just getting better.

"And I feel like with the fans, even our first year, they were always with us. I think the first year, we had the second-highest attendance? So, I feel like Louisville is a soccer hub, with the men's team as well."

Lynn Family Stadium saw its second-largest crowd in its short history three days before Louisville City Football Club continues a third USL Championship league trophy quest with homefield advantage to celebrate a historic season. Racing Louisville Football Club must get help elsewhere in the NWSL before needing to beat San Diego on Sunday to make history of its own with a first-ever playoff berth.

But the past, present and future of the best in the world, the ones our nation offers more than any other in women's soccer, returned to Louisville for the first time in 20 years. And our entire region responded to respect that.

USWNT

Scenes from the U.S. Women's National Team women's soccer friendly against Argentina in Lynn Family Stadium on Oct. 30, 2024.

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