Washington Spirit’s Rose Lavelle named to 2019 FIFPro World XI

Rose Lavelle is going to run out of space for trophies at this rate. The Washington Spirit and USWNT playmaker was named to the 2019 FIFPro World XI today, joining four other United States teammates (Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, and Kelley O’Hara) in receiving the honor during FIFA’s awkwardly-named The Best FIFA Football Awards gala.

FIFPro, which serves as a players union of sorts for international soccer, received votes from over 3,500 players in determining their best eleven for 2019.

Lavelle scored 3 goals in her 6 World Cup appearances this summer, and her stellar play throughout the USWNT’s run to a fourth World Cup success likely drove her vote tally. Club success has probably been less of a factor, as the voting base has notoriously given little credence to NWSL play. This year’s fresh examples are the North Carolina Courage (who have zero players on this year’s Best XI) and Sam Kerr, who placed 8th on the forwards ballot despite being Sam friggin’ Kerr.

In any case, Lavelle was in attendance, and may have a new idea for who to bring with her if (alright, when) she’s on future Best XI lists:

It was a big night for the USWNT overall, as Rapinoe was named FIFA World Player of the Year, and head coach Jill Ellis was named World Coach of the Year at the same event.