MILFORD − Bora Bora? Hawaii? The Swiss Alps? Paris?

There are plenty of dream vacation spots across the globe, but Rose Lavelle knows there is no place like home.

"I love being home as much as possible," the Mount Notre Dame product said on Saturday, June 28 from the Mercy Health Training Center. "I'm really excited to show everyone else what a great place it is."

The 30-year-old midfielder, who returned to action for the USWNT on Thursday, will suit up at TQL Stadium when the United States rematches with Ireland in a friendly Sunday afternoon.

Mount Notre Dame graduate Rose Lavelle will return to Cincinnati for the USWNT on Sunday, June 29 in a friendly against Ireland at TQL Stadium.

"I feel like every time I get the opportunity to come home, I'm so excited, let alone to play in front of everyone at home," Lavelle said. "I have such a big family, and they're always traveling around to watch me play, so to be able to come back to my own backyard and they only have to travel 15 minutes to the game is really, really nice.

"I think Cincinnati is the reason I am the person and player that I am today. Any opportunity I have to thank the fans for all of their support in my career so far is just amazing."

Lavelle knows how much playing on the big stage, in her hometown, can mean as a role model.

Nearly 21 years ago, Lavelle was one of 18,806 fans in attendance when then-Paul Brown Stadium hosted the USWNT against New Zealand in an exhibition match.

Rose Lavelle (right) was a four-year standout and the all-time leading scorer at Mount Notre Dame High School when she graduated in 2013.

A star-studded roster with the likes of Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Christie Pearce and St. Ursula Academy product Heather Mitts led the U.S. women to a 6-0 victory and certainly left an impression on a young Lavelle.

"I know how important it was to me to have players to look up to," Lavelle said. "I think we always say, 'if you can see it, you can be it.' I think that was so important to me. It's a full-circle moment to be able to give back to the sport in the same way it gave to me. Hopefully, every girl, boy in Cincinnati can look up to me and realize they can be in this position, too."

'I didn't want to miss this.'

Lavelle's hometown appearance Sunday was in jeopardy with the Olympic Gold Medalist undergoing ankle surgery shortly after an appearance with the USWNT in December.

"It was definitely a really long, tough couple of months rehabbing," Lavelle said. "I didn't want to miss this but also had to be smart about it. It worked out. All the stars aligned."

Rose Lavelle (16) had a goal and an assist in the USWNT's 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Lavelle returned for her National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) squad, Gotham FC, in a loss to the Kansas City Current June 7. On June 18, it was announced that Lavelle would play in all three summer friendlies.

Lavelle made her USWNT return in Thursday's 4-0 win over Ireland at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, logging an assist and a goal over 59 minutes in Commerce City, Colorado. It was her 25th career goal for the United States.

"I don't know if I had any weight on my shoulders. My goal was a tap-in. I feel like everyone else did the hard work and my goal was the easy part," Lavelle said. "It's always nice to contribute, especially off of injury. I think it's (ankle) getting better every day."

Lavelle 'would love' if Cincinnati got a NWSL team

NWSL expansion talks heated up in November when Cincinnati was named one of the three finalists in the mix to become the league's 16th franchise, along with Denver and Cleveland.

Cincinnati's bid for an NWSL was led by FC Cincinnati owners and WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The league ultimately awarded Denver with its newest team, which is set to begin play in 2026.

Lavelle, who has seen Cincinnati's support of the USWNT for over two decades and the rise of FC Cincinnati since it joined the MLS, hopes the NWSL will one day land in her hometown.

"I would love if Cincinnati got a women's team," she said. "I think they rallied around FCC right from the beginning and the atmosphere and the stadium is so amazing. It's definitely a city that deserves a women's team and would really show out and show support for it."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'I didn't want to miss this.' Rose Lavelle returns to Cincinnati for USWNT friendly