Comeback Season: A Look Back At Mallory Swanson’s 2024
After a year defined by heartbreak, Mallory Swanson turned pain into power and carved out one of the most dominant seasons women’s soccer has ever seen. From being sidelined ahead of the World Cup to scoring the gold medal-winning goal at the Paris Olympics, Swanson’s 2024 has been a story of resilience, redemption, and straight-up brilliance.
The Injury That Changed Everything
In 2023, Mallory Swanson was poised to be the face of the USWNT’s World Cup run. She was in that kind of form: ruthless in front of goal, relentless on the pitch, and seemingly unstoppable. But soccer, like life, doesn’t always go to script. A devastating knee injury in the lead-up to the tournament derailed everything. The World Cup went on without her, and she was forced to watch from the sidelines as her teammates struggled on the world stage.
For many athletes, a setback like that might’ve defined their career. For Mal? It was just the beginning of a comeback for the ages.
Back on Top with the Chicago Red Stars
By the time the 2024 NWSL season rolled around, Swanson didn’t just look healthy—she looked hungry. Suiting up for a rebuilding Chicago Red Stars team, she wasted no time reminding the league exactly who she was. Game after game, she tore through defenses, delivering clinical finishes, clutch moments, and leadership that lifted the Red Stars back into the playoffs after a tough run in previous seasons.
She didn’t just lead; she dominated. By season’s end, she stood tall as Chicago’s top goalscorer, a player who made every touch count and every goal feel like a statement. Her relentless performances didn’t just inspire her team—they reminded everyone of that dawg that she had inside of her, she was back, and she wasn’t stopping there.
Paris 2024: Golden Girl
If the NWSL season was Swanson’s redemption arc, the Paris Olympics was her crowning moment. Representing the U.S. Women’s National Team, Swanson lit up the tournament as the top goalscorer, proving once again why she’s one of the most lethal attackers in the game. Her defining moment? A cold-blooded, match-winning goal in the gold medal match against Brazil, securing the U.S. its first Olympic title since 2012.
The celebration was electric, the moment unforgettable. Swanson wasn’t just back—she was better, sharper, and hungrier than ever before. It was the exclamation point on a season that turned adversity into triumph, silencing any doubts about her place among the sport’s elite.
The Swanson Effect
What makes Swanson’s 2024 season so special isn’t just the goals or the accolades—it’s the grit. The ability to take one of the hardest moments of her career and turn it into fuel for greatness. Her journey speaks to a larger truth about athletes at the top of their game: it’s not just about talent; it’s about how you respond when everything falls apart.
Her return didn’t just elevate her teams; it inspired a fanbase. From Red Stars faithful in Chicago to USWNT supporters worldwide, everyone watching could see the passion in her play, the focus in her eyes, and the weight of every goal she scored.
What’s Next?
At just 26, Swanson isn’t done yet—far from it. With a gold medal, a playoff return, and a golden boot-worthy year in her back pocket, she’s positioned herself as one of the brightest stars in the game. Whether she’s rocking the Chicago Red Stars crest or wearing the U.S. badge, she has proven that no setback can hold her back.
Mallory Swanson’s 2024 season was more than a comeback. It was a statement.
