Stay or go? Why Emma Sears, Mallory Swanson and other USWNT stars should consider their club futures

Mallory Swanson has been playing professional soccer since she was right out of high school. She has been one of the faces of the USWNT’s attack for years, first making a name for herself when she became the youngest American to score in an Olympic match at 18 years old. Swanson has won an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup title, reaching a level that younger forwards can only dream of.

Now, however, she finds herself in an interesting position. Swanson is fully back in club soccer following maternity leave, but she plays for the Chicago Stars, the NWSL’s last-place team. She was recently called into USWNT training camp ahead of two games against Brazil, marking her return to the national team for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics.

While everyone is hoping to see Triple Espresso reunited ahead of the World Cup, it is difficult to predict whether that will happen. Swanson could benefit from playing for a stronger club, but her roots are firmly established in Chicago with her husband, professional baseball player Dansby Swanson, and their growing family. The Stars have struggled for years, and even roster changes that included the additions of top international talents such as Jordyn Huitema and Michelle Alozie have failed to produce results.

Swanson is not under the same pressure to move as some of the other players on this list. However, with less than a year remaining until the World Cup, her club situation is worth considering. If the Stars continue to struggle, could playing in a different and more competitive environment help Swanson rediscover her best form? It is certainly possible.