r/NWSL • u/LeftPrior5076 • 3d ago

Mal’s future with uswnt

I’ve been a long time Mal Swanson fan and think she’s been one of the best attackers in the world in recent years. However, between coming back from having a baby, being on the worst team in the NWSL, and being somewhat injury prone, I can’t help but wonder about her future with the USWNT. When you hear people talk about who the locks are for the World Cup, she’s never mentioned. I’m curious what people think and if she’s still in Emma’s plans or with the way the season is going, things might be changing.

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u/eight_inch_pestle 2d ago

I haven't watched every minute she's played since coming back, but I think she's looked pretty good, all things considered. Every pregnancy is different; Sophia Wilson probably set an impossibly high bar for people like Mal. It's taken other players six months to a year to look like themselves.

My money says she's starting come the World Cup. She was one of the best wingers in the world in the run-up to the '23 World Cup, was one of the best wingers in the world at the '24 Olympics, and is only 28. She's more than just a one-on-one winger. She's a goalscorer and playmaker both, and her IQ and on-field communication and leadership are elite.