With three months until the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Mallory Swanson’s status is unclear. The USWNT star suffered a torn patella tendon in her left knee during during Saturday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland, U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday.
As the first half of Saturday’s friendly was nearing a close, Swanson collided with Ireland’s Aoife Mannion. She grabbed her left knee as she fell to the ground and immediately signaled for assistance. As she was stretchered off the field, she clapped her hands several times as the crowd chanted her name.
Earlier in the first half, Swanson was briefly taken off the pitch after she collided with the knee of Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan.
Per U.S. Soccer, Swanson has returned to Chicago for further evaluation. Alyssa Thompson was named to the USWNT roster in Swanson’s place ahead of Tuesday’s second friendly against Ireland.
Swanson’s recovery timeline is currently unclear, but the injury could be devastating for the USWNT’s hopes of winning a fifth World Cup title this summer. Swanson leads the USWNT in scoring in 2023, with seven goals so far this year. Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle are next on the list, with two goals each.
Also in Saturday’s friendly, Julie Ertz made her competitive return after 611 days away from the USWNT. After the Tokyo Olympics, Ertz took time away due to injury, and then gave birth to her son in August 2022. Andonovski has said that Ertz needs to sign with a club team in order to be considered for the World Cup roster.