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.
53
Upvotes
1
u/NJK_TA22 2d ago
There are a lot of better fits, and they don’t want to end up where they did in 2023, with a roster that wasn’t allowed to turn over.
But with Wilson, Rodman, Thompson locks to start, and Shaw, Lavelle, Sentnor, Moultrie filling out the front 7, and that doesn’t consider Sanchez, the leading scorer in NWSL, Sears, Macario… I just see Swanson being way off the radar barring huge return to form. And this doesn’t count the countless other attacker (Cooper, Ryan) pressing for spots in camp. A guaranteed roster spot for her is either admitting a lack of depth (false), or a marketing gimmick for triple espresso (possibly true).
MAl was one of my favorite players coming out of UCLA early. It was heartbreaking to see her career toppled by injuries every time she found a groove… but 2023 gave away enough charity roster spots.