Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle shine in first matches back in NWSL

For the first time since they both left for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League, United States Women’s National Team players Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis both shined in their first matches back in the NWSL.

Both players started for their clubs with Mewis going 71 minutes in a 5-0 North Carolina Courage win over Racing Louisville. Lavelle lasted 61 minutes before being substituted in OL Reign’s 1-0 loss to the Washington Spirit, Lavelle’s former NWSL club. While neither player played the full 90 minutes, they both reminded the league of their caliber on the field.

Mewis was the first of the two players to play in the Courage’s big win over expansion side Racing Louisville in Cary, North Carolina. Mewis won multiple trophies with the Courage before departing for England, and she helped North Carolina return to that championship form in her first game back.

Mewis ended the game with 82 percent passing accuracy with passes coming from both the right side and central in her midfield role. Her presence in the midfield helped the Courage return to its form of 2018 and 2019 when the team dominated the NWSL on the way to winning two NWSL Shields and two NWSL Championships.

The Courage offense ended with 28 total shots, 11 of them being on target and dominated possession with 61 percent of the ball. North Carolina had become a dominant force in the NWSL and Mewis is a key part of that. With her return to the team, it looks like the Courage’s domination may be coming back sooner rather than later.

To end the NWSL weekend action, OL Reign hosted Washington Spirit for Lavelle’s first game back and against her former NWSL club. Much like Mewis, Lavelle took no time to return back to form in the NWSL.

Although the hosts dropped all three points to the Spirit, Lavelle was one of the brightest spots on the side, finishing with 88 percent passing accuracy across 26 total passes, 18 of them coming in the opposition’s half.

(For more NWSL action, click here: NWSL weekend recap)

Lavelle’s speed in the midfield – both with and without the ball – proved to be a challenge for Washington defenders to deal with. She appeared to have her first assist in an OL Reign kit in her debut when she passed a through ball to Tziarra King who scored, but the goal was ruled offside.

In her first game back, Lavelle showed her consistent talent and potentially a dangerous attack with the likes of King, Megan Rapinoe and Sofia Huerta playing up top. While her side dropped points to Washington, there are signs of life in Lavelle’s debut.

Both players shone in the 2019 World Cup and will expect to do so again this summer as they represent the United States in the Olympics this summer. Mewis and Lavelle left the NWSL to join Manchester City for short spells in England. Now, as they return to the NWSL, they took no time to return to form.