Why is Rose Lavelle not starting? USWNT coach criticized for lineup change for Olympic gold medal match vs. Brazil

Emma Hayes' first tournament final with USWNT — a gold medal clash with Brazil — came with plenty of fanfare. It also came with controversy.

The American boss opted to make a change in the midfield, inserting Korbin Albert into the base of the three-player structure, a seemingly sensible move given the U.S.'s struggles across the apparatus throughout the Olympics. However, instead of replacing the waning Lindsey Horan, whose struggles have prompted elegies from the masses of the team's fanbase, Hayes moved Rose Lavelle to the bench.

It was a curious decision, especially given Horan's less-than-ideal showing against Germany. The American captain has developed a reputation for linking the defense to the attack over the years, but this tournament has seen a reversal of such fortunes, with Horan offering little on the ball thus far.

Lavelle, meanwhile, is one of the team's silkiest dribblers, a player who, at her peak, can make a defense quiver in her wake.

Here's what you need to know about Hayes' move.

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Why is Rose Lavelle not starting vs. Brazil?

The Americans most certainly needed a change in the midfield, especially when considering the fact that they were facing a Brazilian side that rotated more than most throughout the competition.

Albert, for all her controversy, has arguably been the U.S.'s best midfielder, proving herself adept at mucking up the game in the middle third while also recording the only USWNT goal by a non-forward this tournament.

Lavelle hasn't been all that effective, admittedly. Her prowess as an attacking threat is well-documented, but she's been asked to play a less glamorous role in Hayes' midfield setup, one which tends to cloak her creativity in the attacking third.

In that sense, bringing Albert in — a player known for being more of a water carrier willing to do the dirty work on- and off the ball — makes sense. There are also rumors — seemingly verified by NBC's Julie Foudy — that Lavelle is carrying some type of knock. She was substituted on the hour mark in the Americans' semifinals match against Germany.

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The decision to move Albert for Lavelle, as opposed to Horan, still divides opinion, however. After all, it is the American captain — not Lavelle — who has looked onerous for much of the Americans' Olympic campaign.

There are many roads to winning a gold medal, admittedly. For some USWNT supporters, that pathway does not include Horan, at least not during the gold-medal match.

It remains to be seen whether they're right or wrong for that belief.