Photo Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Mallory Swanson has rejoined the active roster of Chicago Stars FC, marking a significant return for the 28-year-old forward. After taking maternity leave for the entirety of 2025 and missing the first nine matches of this season, Swanson welcomed her daughter, Josie James Swanson, in November. Now in North Carolina with the Stars, she is set to be available for selection in Saturday’s match against the Courage.
Swanson last played for the Stars on November 3, 2024, during a playoff defeat against the Pride—a game that also marked the club’s final outing under the Red Stars moniker. The absence of their prolific scorer has been felt acutely; the Stars finished at the bottom of the NWSL table in 2025 with a mere 32 goals across 26 matches. Currently, they sit at the bottom again, having mustered only four goals in their first nine games this season. Notably, the Stars have suffered shutout losses in all seven of their defeats, including a troubling three-game skid without finding the back of the net.
Throughout her career, Swanson has proven to be a formidable presence on the field, scoring 23 of her 33 NWSL goals during her time with the Stars, ranking her third on the club’s all-time scoring list. The remaining 10 goals came from her time with the Washington Spirit, where she made history as the first player to transition directly to the NWSL without collegiate or overseas experience, signing with the club as a teenager in 2017.
In January 2024, Swanson secured a landmark long-term contract with the Stars, extending her stay in Chicago until the 2028 season. At the time, this deal was unprecedented in NWSL history, marking a significant investment in her talent. In the 2024 season, she netted seven goals and provided four assists, although she was unable to score after July 6.
Swanson’s return brings not only a boost to the offensive lineup of the Stars but also a renewed sense of hope to a team struggling to find its rhythm. As several of the league’s teams are gearing up for the latter half of the season, her experience and scoring capability could be crucial in turning the Stars’ fortunes around.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Swanson impacts the team’s performance as they look to break out of their current slump in the NWSL standings. Her comeback could very well be the turning point that the Stars desperately need to reclaim their competitive edge in the league.
With each passing match, the anticipation surrounding Swanson’s performance will only build, making her return not just a personal milestone, but a pivotal moment for Chicago Stars FC as they aim to revive their season.
