Even after tearing her patellar tendon, Mallory Swanson believed she would play in the World Cup last summer.
On April 10, 2023, three months before the tournament began, Swanson was at her peak. She was one of the best players in the world, in top form, and an essential part of the U.S. women’s national team. If the Americans were going to win three straight World Cup titles, Swanson would be a key factor.
However, during a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland, Swanson tore her patellar tendon in a painful injury that shook her team. The incident was hard to watch. Swanson collided with an Irish defender in the first half and fell, clutching her left knee in severe pain. Her U.S. teammates’ worried expressions said it all as they quickly called for medical help.
“It hurt so bad,” Mallory Swanson told her former USWNT teammate Sam Mewis on “The Women’s Game” podcast this week.
“The training staff came onto the field and put my kneecap back in place, which gave me relief,” Swanson continued. “Then I remember screaming for Rose [Lavelle] because I needed someone there. Alyssa [Naeher] came over, and I was grabbing her ankles while they fixed my knee. Alex [Morgan] was there too. Crystal [Dunn] was there for a bit but had to leave because my kneecap was out of place.”
Swanson had surgery two days later and hoped she could recover quickly enough to make it to the World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand.
“I thought, I’m going to be at the World Cup,” Swanson told Mewis. “I was determined to be there.”
Swanson was set to have a standout moment on the world stage. After missing the roster for the 2021 Olympics, she worked her way back into the starting lineup. Former coach Vlatko Andonovski even said it would be hard for anyone to take her spot.
But a week-and-a-half after her surgery, Swanson developed symptoms of a septic joint and needed emergency surgery. She said she was very sick, on IV antibiotics for six weeks, and had a PICC line.
“Not many people know this, but I’m sharing it now,” Swanson said. “I got an infection in my knee a week-and-a-half later and needed another surgery.”
“It was awful,” she continued. “The worst thing ever. But we made it through.”
Only after that did Swanson realize she wouldn’t be going to the World Cup.
“I didn’t even think about playing after that,” Swanson said. “I needed to feel better because I was so sick.”
Not playing in the World Cup was hard, and Swanson couldn’t watch most of the games. She said it was partly because the matches were so early in the morning in the States and partly because “it would have hurt too much.”
“But I fully supported the team,” Swanson continued. “I remember watching the Netherlands game and getting excited when Lindsey [Horan] scored.”
Nine months later, Swanson is in a much better place. She recently signed a historic long-term deal with NWSL club Chicago Red Stars worth about $2 million. She’s training again and told Mewis that her knee is “feeling good.”
Swanson doesn’t know yet if she’ll be ready to play in the inaugural Gold Cup from February 17 to March 10 or if she’ll be fit for the Paris Olympics in July and August. But she’s working hard.
“Whatever the team needs, I’ll do,” Swanson said. “Everyone agrees that I should follow the best timeline for me. Right now, I don’t know if I’ll go to the Gold Cup or be in preseason with Chicago. We’re taking it day by day and training by training.”
Swanson mentioned talking to new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, who is still coaching Chelsea and will start her new job full-time in May. By then, Swanson hopes to be back in USWNT training camp.
“She’s great,” Swanson said of Hayes. “She brings energy that excites everyone. What she’s done at Chelsea is amazing. I think her coaching style will fit well with the team. Everyone I’ve talked to is excited.”
At 25 years old, Swanson has a long career ahead. She joked to FOX Sports that her “experience is like a veteran, but I’m young.” She made her national team debut and turned pro at 17, started at the 2016 Olympics at 18, and played in her first World Cup at 21. She won’t even be 30 at the next World Cup in 2027.
With 88 caps and 32 goals, there is much more to come from Swanson once she’s ready.
