“Our greatest blessing” - US soccer star Mallory Swanson announces pregnancy 

Mallory Swanson, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team forward and her husband, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, excitedly revealed on May 7, 2025, that they were expecting their first child. Supporters and other athletes quickly fell in love with the pair after seeing their social media post.

She captioned the photo:

“Our greatest blessing.”

With a heartfelt caption, 27-year-old Mallory Swanson announced her pregnancy on Instagram. The pair posted a number of pictures of themselves holding up their baby's ultrasound while wearing matching white clothing. Following weeks of Mallory missing games, which her club and national team had previously explained away as "personal reasons," the news was announced.

Mallory Swanson's NWSL team, the Chicago Stars, posted on their official page with the caption:

"Mom & Dad to be."

Through a common acquaintance-Dansby's former colleague Jace Peterson, who is married to Mallory's sister, Mallory and Swanson first met each other in the year 2017. The pair later got engaged three years later in 2021 and got married the following year in an enchanted forest theme wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee in Georgia in December.

In an interview with People magazine, they said:

"To get married in front of our family and friends is so special. It means that we are becoming one and get to impact God's kingdom together."

The Swansons are one of the most adored power couples in sports and have always helped one another through both personal and professional setbacks.

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Mallory Swanson's career and recent absences

A key player in U.S. women's soccer, Mallory Swanson was known as Mallory Pugh before her marriage. She was a member of the USWNT's 2019 World Cup-winning team and had played a pivotal role. In the 2023 World Cup, she had to step down as she got injured.

Mallory Swanson scored the game-winning goal against Brazil in the Olympic gold medal match in Paris in 2024, earning her 100th cap.

Her husband took to Instagram after the team bagged a gold medal in the Olympics. He wrote, sharing her photo:

“You are such an inspiration to so many, but more to me than anyone can ever fathom. You are truly a gift from above, and you shine with that every day. I’m speechless. And now you’re a gold medal, Olympic champion, and 100 caps in the same day. And that can never be taken from you. I love you forever.”

Mallory Swanson joined the NWSL in 2017 and played for the Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC before joining the Chicago Stars in 2021. Swanson scored seven goals and had four assists in 25 games during the previous season with the Stars.

Mallory had been absent from the Stars all season and did not attend the pre-season NWSL training, despite her constant influence on the pitch, which had the fans concerned. She released a statement to address this in January, saying:

"I'd like to thank the club and the fans for their understanding during this time. I appreciate the kindness and encouragement from my teammates and all the Stars staff and hope to be back with the team and playing in front of our fans as soon as I can."

Since the reason has now been made public, the fans are now waiting for her return on the pitch.

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What her pregnancy means for the USWNT and the Chicago Stars

Mallory Swanson will probably miss the rest of the 2025 NWSL season and maybe the first few games of the 2026 season due to her pregnancy. Given that the Chicago Stars are now at the bottom of the standings with one win, five losses and one draw and are having a difficult time finding their rhythm during a critical rebuilding phase, her absence is noteworthy. Swanson is not only the team's top goal scorer but also a vital figure in the locker room, since the team recently parted with the head coach, Lorne Donaldson.

Her absence also has an impact on the USWNT's preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Emma Hayes, the coach, is currently trying out new formations as Mallory and Sophia Wilson are out, as she is also pregnant.

The U.S. has had many players who returned to their top levels after giving birth, such as Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn.

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