The 2025 NWSL season is just around the corner. All 14 clubs are busy preparing during the offseason as they aim to start the campaign on a high note. However, as the season approaches, Chicago Stars FC has received unexpected news from star player Mallory Swanson, leaving many ardent fans concerned.

The news surfaced just moments after the Stars announced their preseason roster ahead of training for the 2025 campaign. Apparently, it has been said that the USWNT forward has asked the club for some time before she officially joins the session with her domestic teammates.

An official statement on the club’s website read, “Forward, Mallory Swanson, informed the club that, due to personal reasons, she will not be joining the team for the start of training camp. Club leadership has been in contact with Swanson and are fully supportive of her decision.”

Additionally, the 26-year-old also had a message to send stating, “I’d like to thank the club and the fans for their understanding during this time. I appreciate the kindness and encouragement from my teammates and all the Stars staff and hope to be back with the team and playing in front of our fans as soon as I can.”

While the exact reason for her absence hasn’t been stated, the Chicago Stars wrote that they are ready to comply with her absence. They also mentioned that the club “stands ready to provide Mallory whatever support she needs, both on and off the pitch, and will be ready to welcome her back with open arms whenever she is ready to return.”

Indeed, that’s likely the most Swanson could have hoped for from her domestic side. While it’s reassuring to see the NWSL club fully supporting their key player during a challenging time, it has still left fans scratching their heads in concern, wondering why the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist is suddenly asking for a time-out.

NWSL fans send wishes to Mallory Swanson over surprising request

As the news regarding Mallory Swanson’s absence from the preseason made the internet, things got ignited with fans expressing their concern for the star forward. It’s not about why the Chicago Stars forward decided to ask for a sudden time-out. Instead, many are rather concerned with what actually is going on with her that she was forced to delay her NWSL pre-season return. Then again, this fan believes that nothing comes first ahead of family:

“Hope she’s okay!! Wishing her and all her loved ones the best. Soccer comes third to self and family.”

So far, it has just been stated that Mallory will not be taking part in the preseason camp due to personal reasons. What exactly has led the USWNT star to ask for such permission is still not very clear at the moment. But a fan hopes things aren’t as negative as they may sound:

“Hope all is well.”

Asking for such a personal request all of a sudden will surely make fans wonder a lot of things. As surprising as it may sound, this fan apparently thought that Swanson was, wait for it, “pregnant”. Who knows? Maybe the fan had Alex Morgan’s second baby’s gender reveal in mind. 

Of course, more than fans, it’s the players who are excited to make a return on the pitch for their domestic side. However, suddenly asking for some time may also indicate a potential transfer move. It would almost seem as if the forward isn’t happy, leaving this fan in terror. 

“Pfewwwwww, i panicked for a moment there. Thot it was a trade or something.” Seems like this fan would take uncertainty over a transfer any day of the week.

Many are indeed curious about Mallory Swanson’s absence from the start of the preseason camp. Then again, the focus shifts to whether everything is truly okay with the forward and her loved ones:

“Oh no. I hope her family is ok.”

Seemingly, this was just a glimpse of the reactions that you may find on the internet as they shockingly reacted to Mallory Swanson’s out-of-the-blue request. Nevertheless, the concluding message would be to see that everything is okay for the USWNT sensation and she makes a return to the pitch as quickly as possible.