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USWNT star forward Mallory Swanson suffers torn patella tendon in left knee in friendly vs. Ireland

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY
·2 min read

After being carted off yesterday during a friendly against Ireland, tests revealed that U.S. Women's National Soccer Team forward Mallory Swanson tore her patella tendon in her left knee.

The USWNT announced the injury update Sunday. While a timeline was not provided for her recovery, the injury will almost certainly remove her from participation in the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will be held this summer in Australia and New Zealand as the USWNT seeks its third consecutive title.

Swanson, 24, hurt her knee Saturday in the first half of the eventual 2-0 U.S. victory in Austin, Texas. She collided with an Irish player and fell to the ground, yelling out in pain as teammate Rose Lavelle knelt beside her to comfort her. Swanson, who had scored in all five of the USWNT's games so far this year, was put on a stretcher and while being carted off the field, she held up her hands in the shape of a heart to show love to the crowd.

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U.S. Women's National Team forward Mallory Swanson (9) is escorted off field by medical personnel during the first half in a match against the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team at Q2 Stadium.
U.S. Women's National Team forward Mallory Swanson (9) is escorted off field by medical personnel during the first half in a match against the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team at Q2 Stadium.

Per the USWNT, Swanson returned to Chicago, where she plays for the Red Stars of the NWSL, for further evaluation.

Swanson, who formerly went by the last name Pugh before marrying Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, won the World Cup with Team USA in 2019, but was left off the roster for the Tokyo Olympics after dealing with multiple injuries. Swanson was the 2023 SheBelieves Cup MVP and has scored 32 goals with 27 assists in 87 appearances for the USWNT.

Forward Alyssa Thompson will replace Swanson on the USWNT roster. Thompson, 18, became the youngest draft pick in NWSL history when Angel City FC selected her in the 2023 draft. Thompson scored a goal in her pro debut with Angel City and then earned a penalty kick for her team in her second match. She has two caps for the USWNT, both of which came in October. Thompson had previously played for the U.S. in the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Contributing: Victoria Hernandez

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mallory Swanson injury: USWNT star suffers torn patella tendon in knee