AUSTIN, Tex. — Mallory Swanson (née Pugh), one of the best players on the U.S. women’s national team, left Saturday’s exhibition match against Ireland on a stretcher after suffering what looked like a serious injury to her left knee.
Swanson, the leading scorer for the USWNT this season, went down after a tackle near the end of the first half and immediately waved one arm in the air. A team spokesman confirmed that after at least five minutes of on-field treatment, she was carted away and taken to a nearby hospital.
At first, it was unclear how serious the injury was. Swanson, however, was the one who suffered. The team members rushed to her side, with Rose Lavelle attempting to steady her flailing upper body while offering comfort. Others frantically waved for help, and paramedics arrived shortly after.
The USWNT team doctor hurried out onto the field. Swanson’s left leg was immobilized by a group of what looked like six medical professionals riding in an ambulance. While this was happening, a couple of her teammates stood by her, and one of them, Lindsey Horan, stepped back ten feet and crouched down.
Eventually, Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski Also Joined The Players On The Field
Swanson had almost single-handedly won the SheBelieves Cup in February 2023, after scoring seven goals in five games. Since 2022, she had scored in six consecutive matches. She had a rough start to her 20s but has since blossomed into the best attacker for the USWNT and a potential game-changer at this summer’s 2023 World Cup.
Her participation in the World Cup is in doubt at this time; the tournament kicks off in the middle of July, and the rosters will be revealed in June. A spokesperson for the USWNT simply stated that the injury was to the left knee.
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Swanson’s latest injury was his third in the past week. She got a black eye when a ball hit her in the face during practice. She was running into the Irish goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan midway through the first half on Saturday when she was knocked off balance. She stayed in the game despite being treated for four minutes while prone on the field following that collision. Thirteen minutes later, the knee injury occurred.
At halftime, the U.S. lead was 1-0 after a goal by fullback Emily Fox. A second-half penalty from Lindsey Horan sealed a 2-0 victory.
On Tuesday, the United States will play Ireland in a second exhibition game in St. Louis before playing one more exhibition game in early July.
What This Means For USWNT
So far this calendar year, Swanson has been the most important player for the USWNT, as she has scored seven goals in five games. Any serious injury would devastate the USWNT’s hopes for the World Cup, as she is expected to start on the team’s top line alongside Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith. Swanson has improved her finishing, as well as her ability to carry the ball at high speed and take on defenders.
The US Women’s National Team has a deep forward group. In Austin, Coach Vlatko Andonovski replaced Swanson with Trinity Rodman, and when Swanson has been on the team, Megan Rapinoe has typically come in for the second half. Following Linehan.
Major Injury To US Women’s National Team Star Just Three Months Before World Cup
The Women’s World Cup is only a few months away, and the U.S. women’s national soccer team is getting ready. One of their best players appears to have suffered a terrible injury during their international friendly match against Ireland.
Forward Mallory Swanson was taken away on a stretcher after sustaining a serious injury to her left knee. Swanson had already collided with U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earlier in the game when they both went headfirst into each other.
Swanson sustained what the team is calling a “left knee injury” and was consequently stretchered off the field and taken to a nearby hospital.
The loss of Swanson would be devastating for the USWNT’s chances at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With seven goals in five international games this year, she has been the team’s most valuable player.
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Swanson is part of the next generation of USWNT stars along with names like Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman, and Ashley Hatch.
As veterans like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe finish up their careers on the international stage, the team will rely heavily on a group of promising young players.
Conclusion
As veterans like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe finish up their careers on the international stage, the team will rely heavily on a group of promising young players.
It appears that Swanson will not be able to participate in the World Cup, but we wish her a speedy recovery.