USWNT and Chicago star Mallory Swanson is back, returning to the pitch for the first time since 2024 in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to No. 8 North Carolina.
Swanson subbed on in the 76th minute, registering one shot for the No. 16 Stars in her first competitive appearance since giving birth in November — and hinting at the possibility of rejoining the US as early as next month’s Brazil friendlies.
“For me, it’s just checking the next box, checking the next progression, and just continuing to feel everything as it comes,” Swanson said postmatch.
Ranked last in the NWSL standings on an -18 goal differential, Chicago will need Swanson at her best this season. However, the Olympic gold medalist wasn’t sweating the details.
“I don’t feel like it was a journey to the finish line, I feel like it was a journey to the start line,” she added. “Because I feel like I’m a whole new person.”
“Mal is Mal and now she’s back, which will be huge for us,” Stars manager Martin Sjögren said. “But we also need to understand that now she made her first minutes after being away for a very, very long time, so we can’t put too much pressure on her.”
Mallory Swanson Continues Her NWSL Return Sunday
Swanson could be back in a Chicago uniform on Sunday, as the Stars visit Bay FC at 5 PM ET, live on ESPN.
