Tonight, the Chicago Stars FC have the chance to snap their difficult run of form when they travel to face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Chicago come into the game in a rough spot. They’re sitting bottom of the NWSL table with a 2-7-0 record and have lost 3 straight matches without scoring a goal. North Carolina haven’t exactly had a smooth season either, sitting 13th with a 2-3-3 record, but this still feels like a huge opportunity for the Courage at home.
The big story heading into tonight, though, is the return of Mallory Swanson.
Mallory Swanson Back from Maternity Leave
Chicago officially activated Swanson from maternity leave on May 15, meaning she is available for selection against North Carolina. It’s the first time she’s been back in the squad since stepping away after the 2024 season following the birth of her daughter, Josie, in November.
And honestly, the timing could not be bigger for Chicago.
Swanson has been the heartbeat of this team whenever she’s been healthy over the last few years. She was their biggest attacking threat, and also the player who brings energy, movement and creativity to the entire front line.
The last time fans saw Swanson in a Chicago shirt was during a memorable 2024 campaign where she bounced back from a serious knee injury, won Olympic gold with the United States Women’s National Team and finished the NWSL regular season with 11 goal contributions, the most on the Stars roster.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 08: Mallory Swanson #9 of Chicago Red Stars scans the field for a pass during the NWSL 2024 Playoff match between Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars at Exploria Stadium on November 08, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)
That same year, she also signed a record-breaking extension with Chicago through 2028 in what was reportedly the richest contract in NWSL history at the time.
It’s still unclear how many minutes Swanson will play tonight after such a long absence, but she’s expected to at least be available off the bench. Even that alone is a huge lift for a Chicago side that desperately needs something to change offensively.
The Stars are still missing several players going into the match. Michelle Alozie, Katie Atkinson and Tessa Dellarose are all out with thigh injuries, while Natalia Kuikka remains sidelined for the season with a knee injury.
Swanson already ranks as the third-leading scorer in club history with 23 goals for Chicago, and her return feels like the kind of moment that could give the Stars a much-needed spark heading into the second part of the season.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
