The Absence of Mallory Swanson Will Be Felt as the FIFA Women’s World Cup Approaches

By: Zachary Draves

Chicago Red Stars and USWNT forward Mallory Swanson is one of the most exciting and promising players to watch in the soccer world. Her dynamism, flare, and aggressive attacking has made her a fixture and helped carry the Red Stars into the NWSL Playoffs the last two seasons including a NWSL Championship Appearance in 2021. Last year, she came in second in the run for the NWSL MVP with a career high 11 goals in 13 appearances. 

In six appearances with the USWNT this year, she scored a remarkable seven goals and thus far has been the team’s leading scorer. 

(Courtesy: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Last December, she tied the knot with Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.

(Courtesy: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Professionally and personally, things have been looking good for her, until last Saturday when she tore a patella tendon during a USWNT friendly match over Ireland in Austin, Texas. She was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and was transported to a local hospital where she watched her team run away with a 2-0 victory before returning to Chicago. 

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The injury has almost certainly jeopardized her chances of appearing in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup where the USWNT is seeking their third consecutive title. The tyrical period of recovery for a torn patella tendon is six months and the World Cup is in three months. 

On Tuesday, she underwent surgery that went successful and she provided an update on Instagram where she expressed appreciation to all the well-wishers.

“This is hard. I’m in shock and don’t have much to say other than, thank you to everyone for the messages. I feel the love and prayers, and holding them close to my heart,” she said. “Surgery this morning was a success. I’m thankful for my trainers, doctors, coaches, and teammates for their help throughout this process. The beauty out of all of this, is that God is always good. He’s got me and always has.”

Right by her side was Dansby who had woken up at 4 AM on Tuesday to accompany Mallory and her mother and had to leave that night’s game against the Seattle Mariners due to feelings of exhaustion. 

The USWNT is now in a bind as many are looking at Mallory to be the next face of the team as the era of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Carli Lloyd is on the verge of coming to a close starting with Lloyd retiring in 2021. While the USWNT is the heavy favorite going into the World Cup, the void left my Mallory is going to be difficult to fill. 

(Courtesy: USWNT/Twitter)

Furthermore, they are coming off an underperforming appearance at the Tokyo Olympics in which they came away with the bronze medal and nations such as Germany, Sweden, and Canada are hitting their stride and proving themselves to be formidable opponents.  

Mallory is only 24 years old and already her talent has evoked flashbacks to the glory days of legends such as Mia Hamm, Shannon McMillan, and Joy Fawcett who were known for their relentless attacking of the ball, effective scoring, and coming through in the big moments.

(Courtesy: Hagen Hawkins/Getty Images)

She has that potential to echo such greatness, but time will tell even more so than ever.

Amidst great concern about her future and the future of the USWNT, head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who is in the process of selecting the roster for the World Cup, spoke highly of Mallory’s character to reporters as she will continue to support the team.

“She said that all she wants is for the team to be successful,” he said. “She is going to be our biggest supporter, has a very good mindset, very good mentality.””

The emergence of fresh young talent such as Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, and Lynn Williams merging with the veteran presence of players such as Rapinoe still leaves the USWNT in a good position heading into the World Cup. 

All eyes will be on the 18 year old Thompson from Angel City FC as she will fill in for Mallory. Although she has only made two appearances for the USWNT, Andonovski expressed optimism about her abilities to reporters.

“She is an exciting player. She has abilities to turn in small areas, which not many players have. And not just to turn, but she accelerates with a ball and runs at defenses with confidence,” he said. “I almost want to say, sometimes for an 18-year-old, it’s borderline arrogant when she goes at you. She can eliminate players on the dribble and we’ve seen this for some good goals, as well. So excited to have her in the environment and looking forward to seeing her on the field.”

While that is a plus, it is certainly going to be difficult to not see Mallory on the field on the biggest stage imaginable. The outpouring of support she is receiving speaks to how valuable she is to the team and to the game as a whole. 

(Courtesy: Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Even as she is certainly overwhelmed by the daunting impact of the injury, she told Insider.com in a recent interview that when she focuses on the important things off the field, she will be a better player on the field.

“My family will always come first, and then my friends, and then God,” Swanson said. “If those three things I’m good with, then you’re gonna get the best of me on the field. And with that, hopefully I can inspire young girls and athletes to achieve whatever they want and go after whatever they want.