1. Overview
Mallory Pugh Swanson, born Mallory Diane Pugh on April 29, 1998, is an American professional soccer player. She plays as a forward for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of women's professional soccer in the United States, and the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT). Swanson made her debut for the USWNT in 2016 at the age of 17, becoming the team's youngest player since Heather O'Reilly in 2002. Later that year, she became the youngest Olympic goalscorer for the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Her career highlights include winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she scored the only goal in the Olympic final. Swanson chose to forgo her college career at UCLA to turn professional in 2017. She is married to Major League Baseball player Dansby Swanson.
2. Early Life and Background
Mallory Swanson was born in Littleton, Colorado, to Karen and Horace Pugh. She was raised alongside her older sister, Brianna, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Her mother, Karen, was a long-distance runner, while her father, Horace, participated in track and played football. Swanson considered her older sister, Brianna, a significant role model and credits her as the reason she began playing soccer.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Swanson began playing soccer at the age of four. She attended Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch from 2012 to 2016. During her three seasons with the high school team, she demonstrated exceptional talent, scoring 47 goals and recording 23 assists. As a freshman, Swanson was named to the All-Colorado Team after leading her team to a state title. She also earned the offensive MVP award at Mountain Vista and was recognized as a NSCAA Youth All-American in 2013.
During her sophomore year, despite missing more than half of her high school games due to commitments with the national team, she helped the team reach the state semifinals. As a junior, Swanson continued her impressive performance, scoring 24 goals and 12 assists in 18 games, again leading her team to the state semifinals. Her outstanding achievements led to her being named the 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame 2015 High School Female Athlete of the Year. Additionally, she was named NSCAA Youth Girls National Player of the Year for both 2014 and 2015. In 2012, she was also recognized as a Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year Top 5 Finalist.
In January 2016, there were reports that Swanson had decided to turn professional after high school and play for Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL. However, her father refuted these reports, stating that Swanson intended to join the UCLA Bruins for the 2016 season as originally planned. She later delayed her entrance to UCLA until January 2017 to accommodate her national team commitments for the Rio Olympics and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Although she appeared in three non-competitive spring scrimmages in early 2017, she ultimately departed UCLA before officially starting her freshman season to pursue a professional career.
2.2. Youth Soccer Career
Following in her sister's footsteps, Swanson played club soccer with Real Colorado in the Elite Clubs National League from 2011 to 2016. She played on the competitive team from the U-11 through U-18 levels, having started recreational soccer at the U-5 level. During her final two years with the club, she frequently trained with Real Colorado's Boys Development Academy team. Swanson played a crucial role in Real Colorado winning state titles in 2010 and 2011. The team also reached the Elite Clubs National League finals in both 2013 and 2014. At the U-16 level, Real Colorado secured state and regional titles and finished as national runner-up, with Swanson being named the MVP of the regional tournament that year.
3. Professional Career
Mallory Swanson's professional journey began when she opted to join the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) directly out of high school, a significant decision that set her on a rapid ascent in the sport. Her career has seen her play for several NWSL clubs and consistently represent the United States on the international stage, achieving numerous milestones and accolades.
3.1. Club Career
Swanson has played for three clubs in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), showcasing her talent and adaptability across different teams.
3.1.1. Washington Spirit (2017-2019)
After considerable speculation regarding her professional destination, Swanson officially joined the Washington Spirit of the NWSL on May 13, 2017. She made her professional debut for the Spirit on May 20, 2017, against FC Kansas City. Her first professional goal came on June 3, 2017, against the Houston Dash. On August 26, 2017, she recorded her first career assist in a match against the Chicago Red Stars. Later that season, on September 30, 2017, Swanson scored her first professional brace against Seattle Reign FC, becoming the first teenager in NWSL history to score multiple goals in a single regular-season match. In her rookie season, Swanson scored 6 goals and was named a finalist for the NWSL Rookie of the Year award, also earning the 2017 Washington Spirit MVP and Golden Boot Award.
She continued with the Spirit for the 2018 season. On May 27, she sustained a PCL sprain in her right knee, which forced her to miss eight games. She returned to play on August 5 against Seattle Reign FC. Throughout her tenure with the Washington Spirit from 2017 to 2019, Swanson made 40 appearances and scored 10 goals.
3.1.2. Sky Blue FC (2020)
On January 16, 2020, during the 2020 NWSL College Draft, the Washington Spirit traded Swanson to Sky Blue FC in exchange for four draft picks. She made her debut for Sky Blue on September 5, 2020, in an NWSL Fall Series match against her former club, the Washington Spirit. Entering the game in the 61st minute, Swanson contributed to Sky Blue's 2-1 victory by assisting Margaret Purce on the match-winning goal in stoppage time. She made one appearance for Sky Blue FC during her time with the club.
3.1.3. Chicago Red Stars (2021-present)
In December 2020, Sky Blue FC traded Swanson and Sarah Woldmoe to the Chicago Red Stars in exchange for the fourth and eighth overall draft picks in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first-round draft pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and an international roster spot for 2021-2022. Swanson made her debut for the Red Stars in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, starting the team's game against Kansas City. In 2021, Swanson was voted in second place for the NWSL Most Valuable Player award, behind Jess Fishlock from OL Reign.
In February 2023, Swanson's husband, Dansby Swanson, mentioned that the NWSL would have facilitated a trade for Mallory to another team if the Chicago Cubs had not signed him to a contract, indicating a desire for them to play in the same city. After missing the majority of the 2023 NWSL season due to a torn left patella tendon sustained while on international duty in April 2023, Swanson made her return for the beginning of the 2024 NWSL season, starting in the season opener against the Utah Royals on March 16, 2024. She scored her first goal since her injury on March 29, 2024, an equalizer that secured a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride. As of September 21, 2024, Swanson has made 60 appearances and scored 23 goals for the Chicago Red Stars.
3.2. International Career
Mallory Swanson has been a prominent figure in the United States national soccer teams at various levels, from her youth career to becoming a key player for the senior squad, participating in major tournaments and overcoming significant injuries.
3.2.1. Youth National Teams
Swanson's international career began early, with her involvement in various youth national team identification and training camps. In 2011, she attended the annual United States under-14 girls' national team identification camp in Portland, Oregon, followed by a U-14 training camp in Carson, California. In 2012, she participated in U-15 national team training camps in Florida and Carson, and a U-14 training camp.
3.2.2. Senior National Team
Mallory Swanson's senior national team career has been marked by early achievements, participation in major tournaments, and remarkable comebacks from significant injuries.
4. Statistics
Mallory Swanson's career statistics reflect her significant contributions at both the club and international levels, showcasing her consistent performance as a forward.
4.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Playoffs | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Washington Spirit | 2017 | NWSL | 16 | 6 | - | - | - | 16 | 6 | |||
| 2018 | 15 | 2 | - | - | - | 15 | 2 | |||||
| 2019 | 9 | 2 | - | - | - | 9 | 2 | |||||
| Sky Blue FC | 2020 | - | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Chicago Red Stars | 2021 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | 27 | 6 | ||
| 2022 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | 22 | 15 | |||
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2024 | 19 | 7 | - | - | - | 19 | 7 | |||||
| Career total | 100 | 33 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 111 | 39 | ||
4.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2016 | 17 | 4 |
| 2017 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 14 | 6 | |
| 2019 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 15 | 7 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 7 | |
| 2024 | 15 | 6 | |
| Total | 103 | 38 | |
:Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Swanson goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 23, 2016 | San Diego, California | Ireland | 5-0 | 5-0 | Friendly |
| 2 | April 6, 2016 | East Hartford, Connecticut | Colombia | 3-0 | 7-0 | Friendly |
| 3 | July 22, 2016 | Kansas City, Kansas | Costa Rica | 2-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 4 | August 9, 2016 | Manaus, Brazil | Colombia | 2-1 | 2-2 | 2016 Summer Olympics |
| 5 | August 3, 2017 | Carson, California | Japan | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2017 Tournament of Nations |
| 6 | September 19, 2017 | Cincinnati, Ohio | New Zealand | 2-0 | 5-0 | Friendly |
| 7 | January 21, 2018 | San Diego, California | Denmark | 3-1 | 5-1 | Friendly |
| 8 | 4-1 | |||||
| 9 | March 4, 2018 | Harrison, New Jersey | France | 1-0 | 1-1 | 2018 SheBelieves Cup |
| 10 | April 5, 2018 | Jacksonville, Florida | Mexico | 1-0 | 4-1 | Friendly |
| 11 | April 8, 2018 | Houston, Texas | Mexico | 1-0 | 6-2 | Friendly |
| 12 | September 4, 2018 | San Jose, California | Chile | 1-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 13 | January 19, 2019 | Le Havre, France | France | 1-3 | 1-3 | Friendly |
| 14 | April 4, 2019 | Commerce City, Colorado | Australia | 4-2 | 5-3 | Friendly |
| 15 | 5-3 | |||||
| 16 | May 26, 2019 | Harrison, New Jersey | Mexico | 2-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 17 | June 11, 2019 | Reims, France | Thailand | 11-0 | 13-0 | 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 18 | October 3, 2019 | Charlotte, North Carolina | South Korea | 2-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 19 | February 20, 2022 | Carson, California | New Zealand | 5-0 | 5-0 | 2022 SheBelieves Cup |
| 20 | February 23, 2022 | Frisco, Texas | Iceland | 3-0 | 5-0 | Friendly |
| 21 | 4-0 | |||||
| 22 | April 9, 2022 | Columbus, Ohio | Uzbekistan | 2-0 | 9-1 | Friendly |
| 23 | April 12, 2022 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Uzbekistan | 3-0 | 9-0 | Friendly |
| 24 | July 14, 2022 | San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico | Costa Rica | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2022 CONCACAF W Championship |
| 25 | November 13, 2022 | Harrison, New Jersey | Germany | 2-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 26 | January 18, 2023 | Wellington, New Zealand | New Zealand | 1-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 27 | 3-0 | |||||
| 28 | January 21, 2023 | Auckland, New Zealand | New Zealand | 3-0 | 5-0 | Friendly |
| 29 | February 16, 2023 | Orlando, Florida | Canada | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2023 SheBelieves Cup |
| 30 | 2-0 | |||||
| 31 | February 19, 2023 | Nashville, Tennessee | Japan | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 32 | February 22, 2023 | Frisco, Texas | Brazil | 2-0 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 33 | June 1, 2024 | Commerce City, Colorado | South Korea | 1-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 34 | 4-0 | |||||
| 35 | July 25, 2024 | Nice, France | Zambia | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| 36 | 3-0 | |||||
| 37 | July 28, 2024 | Marseille, France | Germany | 2-1 | 4-1 | |
| 38 | August 10, 2024 | Paris, France | Brazil | 1-0 | 1-0 |
5. Honors
Mallory Swanson has earned numerous individual accolades and team championships throughout her distinguished career in soccer.
5.1. Individual Awards
- U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year: 2015
- Gatorade National Female Soccer Player of the Year: 2015
- NSCAA Youth Girls National Player of the Year: 2014
- NSCAA Youth All-America Team: 2013
- Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year Top 5 Finalist: 2012
- NWSL Best XI: 2022
- SheBelieves Cup Top Scorer: 2023
- ESPN FC Women's Rank: #15 on the 2024 list of 50 best women's soccer players
5.2. Team Awards
- FIFA Women's World Cup: 2019
- Summer Olympic Games Gold Medal: 2024
- CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2018, 2022
- SheBelieves Cup: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
6. Personal Life
Mallory Swanson is a Christian. In December 2017, she began dating Major League Baseball shortstop Dansby Swanson. They met through her brother-in-law, Jace Peterson, who was a former teammate of Dansby Swanson. The couple married on December 10, 2022. Following her marriage, Swanson began using her married name, Swanson, in 2023.