Mallory Swanson stepped onto an NWSL field for the first time since November 8, 2024, entering the Chicago Stars' May 16 match with the North Carolina Courage in the 76th minute.
Swanson was given a huge ovation from fans in North Carolina on her return from maternity leave, with the Courage hammering the Stars 4-0 in Saturday's game.
Swanson and her husband, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, announced the the birth of their daughter Josie in November.
Now, the U.S. women's national team star is back on the field and hoping to quickly recover the instincts that made her one of the world's most lethal attackers.
"You kind of have to turn on (your) soccer brain again, and it’s just seeing everything and how that all comes to you," she told reporters at NWSL Media Day earlier this year.
"It is like a little bit of a shock to the system, but I wanna say it’s like riding a bike, and once you get the movements going and see the game in certain ways, it kind of comes back.”
It's an effort that now takes on even more meaning for Swanson and her family, working inspire a young daughter.
“You see all the work that she puts in and how much more it means now, and just with her being a mom,” Dansby Swanson told the Chicago Tribune.
“For Josie to be able to be on the same journey and, I know she won’t remember any of it, but being able to recap that with her down the line and say your mom did this is pretty cool.”
Mallory Swanson was a key player for both the Stars and the USWNT in 2024, scoring the winning goal in the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics against Brazil.
The resurgent 2024 came after a 2023 that was cut short by a tear to her patella tendon, but Swanson bounced back quickly. Her return is a huge boost for the struggling Stars, who entered the weekend in the NWSL basement with just two wins and seven losses in the first nine matches of the season.
The 28-year-old's current deal keeps her in Chicago through the 2028 season.
1. Abby Wambach – 184 (2001-15)
3. Carli Lloyd – 134 (2005-2021)
5. Alex Morgan – 123 (2010-2024)
6. Michelle Akers – 107 (1985-2000)
8. Cindy Parlow – 75 (1996-2004)
9. Christen Press – 64 (2013-2025)
10. Megan Rapinoe – 62 (2006-2023)
11. Shannon MacMillan – 60 (1993-2005)1 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
1. Abby Wambach – 184 (2001-15)
1 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
1. Abby Wambach – 184 (2001-15)
2 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
3. Carli Lloyd – 134 (2005-2021)
3 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
5. Alex Morgan – 123 (2010-2024)
4 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
6. Michelle Akers – 107 (1985-2000)
5 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
8. Cindy Parlow – 75 (1996-2004)
6 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
9. Christen Press – 64 (2013-2025)
7 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
10. Megan Rapinoe – 62 (2006-2023)
8 / 8
USWNT all-time leading goal scorers
11. Shannon MacMillan – 60 (1993-2005)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Swanson makes Chicago Stars return after maternity leave
