Free agent Mallory Swanson will extend her time with the Chicago Red Stars this offseason, sources briefed on the forward’s plans told The Athletic. The USWNT forward has been the team’s primary attacking threat since joining in 2021.
A Red Stars spokesperson confirmed that the club has been in discussions with Swanson, but added that nothing is official yet. Although other NWSL teams were interested in signing Swanson, with a source saying that Racing Louisville lodged “a substantial offer,” they were told that the forward is staying in Chicago.
On Thursday, the Red Stars announced Lorne Donaldson as its new head coach. Donaldson’s hire was particularly noteworthy given his history with Real Colorado, the youth club that Swanson played with from 2011-2016; other notable players who played for the club include Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie and Jaelin Howell. Donaldson serves as Real Colorado’s president and executive coaching director. He recently led Jamaica to the 2023 Women’s World Cup round of 16, with the program having never won a single Women’s World Cup game before this summer.
Swanson started 2023 in peak form, scoring seven goals in six games for USWNT and one goal in two games for Chicago, but suffered a torn patellar tendon in April during an international…
