Mallory Swanson will not be participating in the beginning of the Chicago Stars’ regular season. On Wednesday, she and her husband, Dansby Swanson, who plays shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, shared the exciting news on social media that they are expecting their first child.
She has been absent from the Stars for personal reasons since November, when she last took part in a competitive match, following the team’s elimination from the playoffs. Furthermore, she did not join the US women’s national team for the Cherberyves Cup camp last winter.
Currently, the Stars have a record of 1-1-5 and are positioned 14th in the NWSL standings, approaching a match against the Washington Spirit on Saturday. Swanson might miss the remainder of the NWSL season.
Last year, Swanson excelled with the USWNT, scoring the decisive goal in the gold medal match against Brazil during the Parisio Philosophy, marking her 100th appearance for the national team.
Mallory and Dansby have been a couple since 2017 and tied the knot in 2022 after their last season with the Atlanta Braves. Dansby is now in his third season with the Cubs, having a batting average of .236 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs this season, while the Cubs hold a 22-16 record and lead the NL Central.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights both the personal and professional journeys of athletes. Swanson’s absence could impact the Stars’ performance, raising questions about how the NWSL will navigate star players’ life changes while maintaining competitive integrity.
