USWNT forward Mallory Swanson and Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson are expecting their first child, a revelation shared on their Instagram accounts. This news clarifies Mallory’s prolonged absence from both the USWNT and Chicago Red Stars, which had been a significant topic in American soccer, as she had not played since scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Olympics. Her absence impacted the Red Stars’ performance, placing them at the bottom of the NWSL table, while other key players, including Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman, are also missing the season due to personal reasons.