'I am thankful to do what I love again': How the USWNT’s Mal Swanson came back from a ‘life-changing’ injury
Sport can sometimes be cruel – few know that better than United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) player Mal Swanson.
In the form of her life, scoring seven goals in the first two months of 2023 for her national team, the forward was at the top of her football game.
But in April of the same year, that all came crashing down, with an injury that would test her resolve and shatter any hope of her going to the World Cup that year.
Swanson made her comeback earlier this year, having spent a ‘life-changing’ 11 months on the sidelines.
“After 343 days, 3 surgeries, and an infection that changed my whole perspective on life I realized many things,” she wrote on Instagram after returning for the Chicago Red Stars.
“Life is a beautiful blessing. Health is a blessing. This game that I love is a blessing.
“And at the end of it all, I am more thankful to be able to do what I love again.”
The USA forward has eased back into things and is now on course to return to the pre-injury form that made her a standout for club and country.
With Paris 2024 fast approaching, Swanson looks set to feature for her country at a major tournament for the first time since 2019, when the USWNT won back-to-back World Cup titles.
The injury that changed Mal Swanson’s perspective on life
Swanson tore her patella tendon in April 2023.
A long road or recovery would await the 26-year-old, who missed out on a second consecutive major tournament for her nation as a result.
What she did not anticipate on that journey, however, was almost a year on the sidelines and three surgeries to address the damage sustained as a result of her knee injury.
“That tendon just completely ruptured,” she revealed to The Women’s Game podcast.
“And then my kneecap went up into my thigh, so it almost dislocated too.”
Swanson felt relief when training staff put her kneecap back in place, but it would only be the start of a difficult recovery process.
“I ended up having an infection in my knee a week and half later,” she continued.
“I got surgery and then a week and a half later, I had a second surgery. They had to do an emergency surgery to try and get this infection out; I was very, very ill.
“I was so sick, I was on IV antibiotics for like six weeks. It was awful. It was like the worst thing ever, but we made it through.”
Swanson gestures to fans after being stretchered off against the Republic of Ireland, April 2023.
Her faith and the support of those around her would help Swanson through one of the most difficult periods of her career.
But there was no doubt one piece of advice re-occurring in her mind that played a part in helping her fight back to full fitness.
In 2021, when she struggled with injuries on a regular basis, the father of her now-husband - Dansby Swanson - said something that resonated with Mal.
“He [Cooter] was like: ‘Just keep on keeping on.’ It’s super simple,” she told the Just Women’s Sports ‘Snacks’ podcast.
“You just got to keep on and keep moving forward and eventually the hard times, the tough times and the adversity will pass.
“It doesn’t make it any easier… but it will pass.”
Swanson scoring against Germany in November 2022.
465 days later… Swanson scores for the USWNT
Swanson’s first goal back for the USA women's team could not have come at a better time.
Well over a year in the making, it was worth the wait for the Olympic hopeful.
Looking to impress new manager Emma Hayes, and stake her claim for the Paris 2024 Olympic squad next month, Mal bagged a brace as the USWNT beat the Republic of Korea on 1 June.
The English coach has responded by singing the praises of the Chicago forward, dubbing her a key part of the team.
“I couldn’t ask for any more,” Hayes said of Mal’s display.
“She’s a player I’ve always admired, so to get the opportunity to coach and see firsthand the quality she possesses - she’s a connector. She’s really magnetic, as a human being too, in the way she operates in the team.
“She can multitask – she can do what she’s doing on the pitch and she can listen on the sidelines, I noticed that about her today.
“Our goal is to keep her fit and keep her healthy because she’s an important part of this team.”
High praise for a player of whom the best is still to come.
Swanson’s comeback is one of resilience and a testament to her character – now it’s time to add more chapters to her story.