Mallory Swanson, shown moving the ball for the Red Stars in the team's home opener on April 1, may not be playing for a while as she suffered a knee injury while playing for the United States Women's National Team. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Pro Sports Report | Knee injury could keep Swanson out of women’s World Cup
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
This was supposed to be a huge year for Mallory Swanson.
The Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Women’s National team forward opened 2023 with six goals for the national team in friendlies ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
She also figured to be a key player for the Red Stars in their quest to return to the NWSL playoffs.
With her husband, Dansby Swanson, playing shortstop for the Cubs, some fans were trying to organize day-night doubleheaders when the Red Stars and Cubs would playing at home on the same day.
A lot of fun was potentially in store.
But things have gone south this spring for the talented forward.
On April 1, Swanson was struck in the throat during a Red Stars loss against Houston; however, she was able to remain in the game.
Things got a lot worse on April 8. Swanson, playing for the USWNT, sustained what appeared to be a neck injury when her head made contact with the goalkeeper in a 2-0 win over Ireland in Austin, Texas. She initially stayed in the game, but had to be taken off the field on a stretcher in the 40th minute for what was diagnosed as a torn patella tendon in her left knee.
As of April 9, there was no word about a timeline for her return, but there is speculation that she will miss the World Cup.
“The Chicago Red Stars have been in communication with U.S. Soccer since the injury,” said a statement from the Red Stars. “We fully support Mallory as she returns to Chicago to rest.”
She has been replaced on the U.S. team roster by Alyssa Thompson.
“We were going to keep her off the field,” Andonovski said after the match, referring to the plan after Thompson collided with the Irish goalkeeper. “But she felt good and everything was fine, so she was back on the field.”
Andonovski denied Swanson had sustained a brain injury.
“No, her brain was very good, even after the second injury when she was going off the field,” he said. “She had a big smile on her face and said, ‘Coach, I’m good. I promise I’ll be good.’
“I said ‘Okay, you are stronger than me.’’’
Red Stars lose to Mexico
While Swanson and other Red Stars standouts were playing friendlies for international teams, Chicago dropped a 5-2 friendly to the Mexican Women’s National Team on April 8 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Julia Bianchi and Sarah Griffith scored for the Red Stars while Jenna Bike had an assist.
The Red Stars (0-2-0) return to NWSL action at 7 p.m. on April 15, hosting Kansas City (0-2-0).
Fire II loses first game
This Chicago Fire II fell to 2-1-0 with a 1-0 setback to defending league champion Columbus on April 9 at SeatGeek Stadium in an MLS NEXT Pro game.
Columbus (1-0-1) scored in the 88th minute to take the victory.
The Fire hosts the Philadelphia Union II at 6 p.m. on April 16.
Free Jacks beat Hounds
The misery continues for the Chicago Hounds in the Major Rugby League.
The expansion team fell to 1-6-0 after a 31-19 road loss to New England on April 8.
They also lost vice-captain Luke Beauchamp, who came off the field with a shoulder injury in the seventh minute of the match.
JP Eloff, Luke White and Hugh Roach scored tries for the Hounds. The Free Jacks improved to 5-2-0 and are on top of the Eastern Conference.
The Hounds visit San Diego (6-1-0) at 3 p.m. on April 16 at Snapdragon Stadium.
3 Comments
Local News
Marist wrestlers take Illini Classic crown; Shepard’s Damari Reed stays unbeaten
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent When Peter Marinopoulos was a freshman, he served as the Marist wrestling team’s manager when the RedHawks would travel to tournaments. Two years later, he is finishing tournaments on top of the podium. Marinopolous, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A at 195 pounds by the Illinois…
Warrant issued for suspected shooter in Worth double homicide
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Worth police have an arrest warrant for a man suspected as the shooter in a double homicide January 10 at the Crossing Bar and Grill in Worth. Worth police are working with numerous law enforcement agencies to seek the man, who was not identified. Police said the suspect is not…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Hog Wild to open Monday in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Dining choices will get a boost in Oak Lawn with the arrival of Hog Wild. The restaurant is scheduled to open Monday, January 17, at 4040 W. 111th St. That’s a week later than originally scheduled. “We are very fortunate here in Oak Lawn to have attracted Hog Wild,” Oak…
Home security cameras could be big help to Orland cops
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Residents of Orland Park could have a hand in solving crime in the village. The board of trustees unanimously approved to move forward with a voluntary security camera registration program at its Jan. 4 meeting. It’s expected to start on Feb. 1. This program gives citizens and businesses a chance…
Ailing eagle on the mend
Spread the loveSeveral blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge—just west of 47th and Harlem–motorists late last month noticed an eagle flying low and acting erratically. The Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors was contacted, and its volunteers found and captured the majestic bird. It was transported to a facility owned and operated by Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook…
Can’t we just fast-forward to spring?
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Is it spring yet? Is the pandemic over yet? Not that I’m impatient or anything. I want to move forward past all the negative COVID-19 has brought to my life and everyone else’s life. I want to see…
Scavenger Sale different this year, Pappas says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ 2022 Scavenger Sale will look different, as the Treasurer’s Office takes steps to help small developers, homeowners and investors rebuild neighborhoods and create generational wealth. Under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office is required to conduct a Scavenger Sale every two years, offering at auction the…
Give poor countries a break, Chuy says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) is one of 18 Members of Congress who recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to use the voice and vote of the United States at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to abolish the IMF’s surcharge policy, which requires countries…
Neighbors
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
[…] Source […]
[…] Related Article […]
[…] Source […]