USWNT forward Mallory Swanson has yet to join the Chicago Stars for 2025 play due to a personal matter, with the NWSL club confirming Wednesday that the standout striker will not feature in their Friday season opener against the reigning league champion Orlando Pride.
Chicago originally noted Swanson’s absence alongside their preseason roster announcement, adding that the organization is “fully supportive of her decision.”
“I’d like to thank the club and the fans for their understanding during this time,” Swanson said in the club’s January release. “I appreciate the kindness and encouragement from my teammates and all the Stars staff and hope to be back with the team and playing in front of our fans as soon as I can.”
Triple Espresso dwindles to a single shot
After lighting up the Paris pitch last summer, the USWNT’s gold medal-winning attacking trio of Swanson, Sophia Wilson (neé Smith), and Trinity Rodman — self-dubbed the “Triple Espresso” — have yet to reunite on the national team roster, due in part to load management.
While a lingering back issue has kept Rodman out of every USWNT camp since the 2024 Olympics, the Washington standout made her return to play as a second-half substitute during the Spirt’s 2025 Challenge Cup win last Friday.
Portland Thorns star Wilson — who hasn’t played with the US since October — is officially out for the entire 2025 NWSL season after announcing her first pregnancy last week.
As for Swanson, a return timeline for both club and country remains unclear, with Chicago now preparing to open the season without their celebrated striker.
“Top player in the world, but the game still goes on,” Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson told media Wednesday. “We still have players that we have to focus on, and I think that just gives somebody else another opportunity to come out and just say, ‘Okay, I can do it,’ because the game is not going to wait for us.”
In a year without a major international tournament, maintaining player health on and off the field is massively important, leaving clubs adjusting to their shorthanded rosters and fans cheering for a very different NWSL than last season.
Portland will kick off the 2025 NWSL season against the KC Current on Saturday. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
How to watch the 2025 NWSL season kick-off
The first peek at the new NWSL rosters in action hits fields this weekend, with all 14 clubs notching their first minutes by Sunday night.
The Chicago Stars will kick off 2025 play against the Orlando Pride at 8 PM ET on Friday, with the match streaming live on Prime Video.
At the same time, Rodman’s Washington Spirit will take on a new-look Houston Dash, streaming live on NWSL+.
With Wilson sidelined, the Portland Thorns will face 2024 NWSL semifinalists KC Current in their 12:45 PM ET season opener on Saturday, with live coverage airing on ABC.