Mallory Swanson returns to the Stars, just when they need her most

Mallory Swanson is back and the Chicago Stars certainly need her.

On Saturday, Swanson returned from an 18-month absence and the birth of her daughter Josie, subbing in for the Stars during a match against the North Carolina Courage in the 76th minute. The Stars fell 4-0.

“I think for me, it’s just checking the next box, checking the next progression and just continuing to feel everything as it comes.” Swanson told reporters after the game.

Swanson has scored 23 of her 33 career goals with the Stars. She is signed with the team through the 2028 season.

“Once she’s back to 100 percent, which she will be, she’ll have a massive impact on this team,” said Stars coach Martin Sjögren. “She’s one of the best players in the league. She fits our model perfectly, and the model is built around the qualities of players like her.”

The Stars are struggling at the bottom of the standings at 2-8-0. To make matters worse, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher left Saturday’s game in the 21st minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

When asked what she can do to help the team, Swanson explained:

“Just playing this game for a long time, and although I’ve been out a little bit, just continuing to be a vocal leader on the field, and when tough moments like this happen, try and just bring the group together,” she said.

Another shot of Triple Espresso

Swanson, of course, was on the U.S. team that won the 2019 Women’s World Cup, as well as the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. She scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final.

With the national team, she has 38 goals in 103 appearances. Her return means that Triple Espresso is all back playing in the NWSL: Swanson with the Stars, Trinity Rodman with the Washington Spirit and Sophia Wilson with the Thorns.

Swanson’s return was the last missing piece as the United States faces World Cup qualification in late November.

Being a mom

Swanson spoke extensively about how becoming a mom has changed her perspective earlier this year at the NWSL media days. She said that being on maternity leave was different than being out with an injury, because with a pregnancy you’re not working with the team.

“I think you kind of have to turn on the soccer brain again, it’s like seeing everything and how that all comes to you, is like a little bit of a shock to the system, but I want to say it’s kind of like riding a bike and like once you kind of get the movements going and seeing the game in certain ways it kind like comes back,” she said.

Swanson also praised the moms who came before her and showed it was possible, as well as the work they did to make sure job protections in place.

“Obviously, they did it, but they they made it even more, I don’t want to say easier, but like easier in a sense that we have all these resources now,” she said. “I think the biggest thing too is like that it’s doable, that you can be a mom and then also be a high-level athlete at the same time. Again, everyone’s experience is completely different, but having this group that has done it before, I have looked up to them so much.”

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Kerr’s future?

Last week, Sam Kerr officially announced that she won’t be returning to Chelsea. On Saturday, she played her final match with the club after six and a half years.

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In her video posted to social media, Kerr said:

“Hi Chelsea fans, unfortunately this is for real this time. I wanted you to hear it from me, but this Saturday will be my final game for Chelsea,” she said. “I definitely don’t want this to be a sad conversation. I want it to be — not a celebration — but remember all the good times we’ve had together. It’s been an absolute honor to represent you guys the last six and a half years and I’ve had the best memories. Hopefully, we can make one more amazing memory on Saturday.”

Kerr, 32, has scored 65 goals in the Women’s Super League and has won the league’s Golden Boot twice. She has scored 116 goals in all competitions, tying Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer Fran Kirby. Chelsea has won five WSL titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups during Kerr’s tenure with the club.

Kerr previously played for Sky Blue and the Stars in the NWSL. Currently, there are plenty of rumors about Kerr’s possible landing spots, including the Denver Summit. Only time will tell, but I’m guessing the NWSL would be happy to have her.

Links

Gotham’s move to NYC could be a win for everyone, from The Athletic

Utah Royals run their unbeaten streak to eighth games

ESPN’s story on Swanson’s return

Also ESPN: Women’s pro league discuss interleague competition

Racing Louisville exploring the sale of a stake in the club

Interesting story on women’s sports expansion fees

Ms Magazine’s look at the Afgan women’s refugee team

Departures of Kerr, Mead and Shaw mark the end of an era in the WSL

The North Korean women’s soccer team arrives in South Korea for the Asian Women’s Champions League

CNN has a good story on the North Korea team’s trip

The BBC looks at the summer of change for Chelsea and Arsenal

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