After an injury-plagued 2021, Mallory Swanson is back with a vengeance, scoring two goals in the U.S. team's Olympic opener and shaking things up for the squad.
Mallory Swanson's Olympic journey has been marked by both adversity and triumph. Last year, a devastating knee injury sidelined her from the Women's World Cup, casting a shadow over her aspirations for Paris 2024. However, the 26-year-old striker has emerged from rehabilitation with renewed determination and is proving to be a catalyst for the U.S. women's soccer team in France.
On Saturday, Swanson announced her return to the international stage in emphatic fashion, netting two goals in the Americans' 3-0 victory over Zambia. Her performance underlined her key role in the team's attack under new coach Emma Hayes, who has described her as a "dynamic" and "special" player.
Swanson's resilience has been an inspiration to her teammates. After the Zambia match, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her recovery. "To be a part of this group and have all these girls and coaches and staff around me, supporting me and just to be able to support each other to try to achieve something — I'm just super grateful now," she said.
Hayes, who replaced Vlatko Andonovski after the team's disappointing finish at the World Cup, has praised Swanson's work ethic and adaptability. "She's a very intelligent player. She can play as a number nine, as a number ten, or as a wide forward," Hayes said. "She gives us a lot of options."
Swanson has formed a formidable partnership with Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, who also scored in the Zambia match. The trio's chemistry is evident on the pitch, where they combine speed, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess. "We're more than what everybody thinks. We're not just an athletic team with fast forwards," Rodman said. "We're so much more than that."
Swanson's Olympic debut came in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, where she was part of the U.S. roster that won gold. She also played in the 2019 Women's World Cup, going by her maiden name, Pugh. However, she was overlooked for the Tokyo Games by Andonovski.
Undeterred by setbacks, Swanson has returned to the national team with a renewed sense of purpose. She hopes to make amends for missing the Olympics in Tokyo and contribute to the team's success in Paris. "It's a good start," Swanson said of her two-goal performance against Zambia. "But there's little things within that game, within the play, that we just need to fine-tune."
With the top two teams in each of three groups advancing to the knockout round, the United States is already in good shape after their victory over Zambia. They will face Germany on Sunday before concluding Group B against Australia on Wednesday.
Swanson's return to form has been a timely boost for the U.S. team. Her goalscoring prowess and unwavering determination are key assets as the Americans seek to regain their dominance in women's soccer and reclaim the Olympic gold medal.
