Soccer Star Swanson

Mallory+Swanson+action+shot

Jamie Smed

Mallory Swanson action shot

The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) is likely to be missing star forward, Mallory Swanson– formally known as Mallory Pugh, in the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The USWNT played an international friendly match against Ireland on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas in preparation for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. During the match, Swanson suffered a significant knee injury on her left knee in the first half of the game. Swanson was immediately pulled out of the game, having to be lifted on an injury cart and taken off the field. Her knee injury was substantial, and her kneecap was shown to be dislocated in the recent streams of the match.

During the match, Swanson ran into the Irish goalie minutes before the incident with her knee. Many fans believe that Swanson should have sat out for a longer period of time before re-entering the game, and they state that her collision with the goalkeeper was one of the major causes of how Swanson’s knee injury occurred. When the incident happened, Swanson cried in pain as her teammates motioned for the emergency training staff to come out and help Swanson. According to ESPN News, the USWNT soccer coach stated, ““The emotions run high, regardless of what kind of injury.” Many are now unsure on whether or not Swanson can play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand this summer. 

After a short notice update, it is confirmed that she tore her left patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the tendon that attaches the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the shinbone. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons it takes approximately 6 months to fully recover from a left patellar tendon tear. However, it is stated that, “Many patients report that they required 12 months before they reached all of their goals.” Due to this, it is likely that Swanson will not be able to attend the next FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be starting in July of this year.

Although the U.S was ahead 2-0 in the match versus Ireland, a rescheduled game was placed on Tuesday at 4:30 pacific time, in St. Louis, Missouri. 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson ended up replacing Swanson in this match. The USWNT ended up winning 1-0 in the rescheduled friendly, from Alana Cook’s goal nearly from the midline.

Swanson, who formally went by Pugh before marrying Chicago Cubs baseball star, Dansby Swanson, was on a roll before her latest injury. She had seven goals in the five matches played in 2023 with the USWNT. She is the team’s leading goal scorer this year. Not only has her knee injury affected her fans, but it has also significantly affected her husband, Dansby Swanson. In the sixth inning after going 4 for 4 in the beginning of his game, he ended up walking out of the baseball match that was versus Seattle. He ended up leaving the game due to the exhaustion and stress of his wife’s knee injury. According to The Athletic News, Dansby Swanson had little to no sleep following his wife’ knee surgery, and did not have enough food or liquids in his body for the game. He admitted, “Everybody knows it [Mal Swanson’s injury] is a pretty tough and heartbreaking situation. I’m heartbroken for her, just a lot of tears and sadness.”

Clearly, Mallory Swanson’s injury was taken to heart by many of the USWNT soccer fans. However, despite her successes, many are now unsure on whether or not Swanson can play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand this summer.