The 2025 NWSL season is closer than you think. It’s only a matter of time before all 14 teams kick off the much-anticipated campaign. While preparations are nearly complete for most sides, a big cloud of uncertainty still surrounds the Chicago Stars. Unfortunately, there is a concerning update regarding their star player, Mallory Swanson, leaving them in a tight spot.

The USWNT star won’t be able to take part in the opening game against defending champions, the Orlando Pride, on Friday. This is quite an unsettling piece of news, as the 26-year-old has been AWOL since the beginning of the preseason. However, one of the club’s spokespersons stated to the media on Thursday that Swanson is still not ready to join the team due to “personal reasons.”

Ahead of the Pride clash, head coach Lorne Donaldson was quizzed about Swanson’s return timeline. However, the Jamaican tactician was also clueless about the forward’s situation. “Maybe [Stars comms] can answer more, but to me, it’s a week-to-week thing. And I can just give her space and let whatever happens happen. We can’t do much about her situation right now, because that’s her space right now,” Donaldson said as compiled by journalist Claire Watkins on X.

Though it is a huge blow for the Stars to start their campaign in the absence of their star player, the gaffer has still urged his side to try to remain unaffected by the situation. He rather appealed to them to give their best for the time being. “She’s one of the top, top players in the world, but the game still goes on. We still have players that we have to focus on and that gives somebody else another opportunity to come out and say, ‘Okay, I can do it,’ because the game is not going to wait for us,” Lorne added.

Notably, it was back in January when Swanson addressed her absence from all the team duties. She announced a statement while expressing her gratitude to the club and the fans for “understanding” her situation. Furthermore, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist even concluded on an encouraging note, stating that she hopes to make a return to action as soon as possible.

While many hoped Swanson would manage to at least get back before the season opener, that surely seems to be a lost cause now. Either way, it’s a huge blow for the Chicago Stars, which surely impels them to count on other names.

Mallory Swanson leaves the Chicago Stars hanging!

Orlando Pride is already coming in with a recent upset in the NWSL Challenge Cup, having lost 2-4 in penalties after a 1-1 draw. Therefore, it only adds to the urgency for Seb Hines‘ side to secure a win in their season opener, which clearly spells trouble for the Chicago Stars. Lorne Donaldson would be required to make the best use of the current roster that is at his disposal.

Speaking of which, the Jamaican boss can work with some new signings including starlets Justina Gaynor and Micayla Johnson. Additionally, the Chicago Stars also received a major boost after center-back Sam Staab returned from her torn Achilles injury that she sustained back in July 2024. Yet, trouble takes a double fold for Donaldson as there are still a few players that he can’t turn to.

One of them is Natalia Kuikka, who will also miss the start of the season for Chicago. The Finnish defender sustained a knee injury last month while competing in the Women’s UEFA Nations League B, and her return timeline remains uncertain. However, she has now been placed on the 45-day disabled list.

Be that as it may, it is both a hot and cold situation for the Chicago Stars. Let’s see how things unfold for them in the season opener.