USWNT loses Mallory Swanson to patella tendon injury

The USWNT remains undefeated this year, Emily Fox scored her first international goal and Julie Ertz took the field after two years away from the game just seven months after the birth of her child. All of these accomplishments are front-page headline material any other night, but Mallory Swanson took the headlines on Saturday.

Anyone who saw her gut-wrenching cries or watched her teammates rush to her side knew Mallory Swanson’s dream 2023 had come to an abrupt, and heartbreaking, end.

Swanson entered the new year with her mojo cranked up high. Her shots knew nothing but the back of the net and her ticket was all but stamped to New Zealand/Australia for this summer’s World Cup.

A game that was meant to be a confidence-boosting, pre-World Cup tune-up and an opportunity to further assess players on the fringes of the roster, instead sent Mallory Swanson back to Chicago and head coach Vlatko Andonovski back to the drawing board.

Mallory Swanson completed a formidable front line

A front line of Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, two thriving young talents, and Alex Morgan, a veteran leader in good form, is any coach’s dream. Though the USWNT is certainly not lacking in attacking options, Andonovski has been grooming this trio to work together, and a change-up this late in the game could be jarring.

For the remainder of this April camp, Swanson has been replaced with 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, an undeniably gifted striker, but one who is unlikely to make the cut for the World Cup roster even with this unexpected additional exposure.

Swanson’s absence will instead likely be filled by Lynn Williams and/or Trinity Rodman. Both are fantastic options at their best but can be inconsistent in their performances.

Swanson is leaving a sizable hole. Good luck to those trying to fill it.