Mallory Swanson’s Debut for USWNT and Her International Career

The sensational Mallory Swanson is one of the best UWSNT players out there. Also known as Mallory Pugh, she burst onto the scene at 17. Pugh plays forward for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League. Therefore, the superstar attacker endured a fantastic career until now. Scoring goals and breaking records became customary for Swanson, who captured the hearts and minds of the soccer fraternity. She has scored 32 goals and 27 assists for USWNT. 

The 2023 World Cup is about to start, but Swanson wouldn’t appear in the tournament. She injured her knee recently and will miss the World Cup. But, her career so far has been eventful. Injuries have dampened her tournament hopes, but she has enjoyed a stellar career.

Mallory Pugh Swanson’s debut for the USWNT

While many first games are about players coping with the pressure, Mallory had a debut to remember. She became one of the youngest players to appear for USWNT at age 17. Moreover, she scored in her debut in USWNT’s five-goal thumping of Ireland in 2016. Swanson came on the pitch in the second half while scoring in the 83rd minute to send the fans back home happy. Swanson’s soccer career is exciting, and the women’s soccer fraternity saw a superstar in the making.

Notably, she became the 19th US player to score in her debut match. As symbolic as it gets, she entered the game by substituting for Alex Morgan, a goal-scoring legend herself! Pugh became the youngest player in the USWNT Olympic qualifying tournament.

Swanson’s historic Olympics debut in 2016

The 2016 Rio Olympics became a historic moment for Mallory Swanson. Her international career sky-rocketed to greater heights after she made her Olympics debut. Becoming the youngest player to score in the games at 18, Pugh drew accolades from former players. She scored just one goal and made three appearances.

READ MORE- “It’s Really Hard to See” – Alex Morgan Expresses Concern on Mallory Swanson Following Horror Injury Before Being Carted Off During USWNT’s 2-0 Win

However, the national team failed to win the Olympic gold medal. The team lost to Sweden in a penalty shoot-out to bow out of the tournament. Since then, she earned call-ups to the national team and later appeared in the 2019 World Cup. Her trajectory increased from that day as Swanson became one of their influential players. 

Mallory Swanson’s World Cup debut in 2019

The 2019 World Cup became a crucial turning point in her career. Although not a regular starter, she came off the bench to provide vital goals. In fact, she scored one goal and created an assist in the tournament as she played three games and started in one match.

The new role suited her, as Mallory explained her mindset as an impact player off the bench. According to Just Women’s Sports, she stated, “Obviously, I wanted to play more, but it wasn’t my time to. I definitely had to change my mindset and look at it a different way.”

Soon fans started noticing the sensational forward. Swanson scored goals for fun but later lost her way after some time. For the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, her soccer journey ended abruptly. Coach Vlatko Andonovski dropped her off from the squad and kept her aside.

But the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was disappointing as the national team finished with a bronze medal. Soon, the coach recalled the former players. The redemption story happened during the SheBelieves Cup 2023. 

The USWNT star’s recent comeback to the national team in the SheBelieves Cup

The comeback for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup became the tournament’s leading goal-scorer. Moreover, she became the first player to score in three straight matches during the SheBelieves Cup. Swanson ended the competition with four goals and became the MVP of the tournament. The USWNT played an enthralling final against Brazil and won the match 2-1 to lift the trophy. Alex Morgan and Mallory Pugh scored the goals to take them home. 

The promising USWNT player scored in her sixth straight game after dominating the game from start to finish. Heading into the 2023 World Cup in excellent form, missing the tournament because of a knee injury is heartbreaking. Hopefully, she returns as a better player altogether. 

WATCH THIS STORY- “Don’t Think I Struggled That Much” – Compared With Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman’s Daughter Trinity Rodman Says Comparisons With Father Has Died