USWNT star forward Mallory Swanson and her husband, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, are expecting their first child. The couple announced the news in posts on their personal Instagram accounts on Wednesday.
The update brings closure to what had become one of the biggest mysteries in American soccer. Mallory Swanson, who scored the winning goal in the gold medal game of the 2024 Olympics, had not played for the USWNT or the Chicago Stars in 2025. She hadn’t acknowledged the reason for her months-long absence. Dansby Swanson has been an everyday starter for the Cubs, playing all but one of their first 38 games.
When fielding questions about her absence, the Stars and the USWNT said it was her “personal matter” to share. Chicago stated that it was “fully supportive of her decision” ahead of their 2025 opener, with the winger having signed a contract extension through 2028 before the start of last year. The extension came a year after Dansby Swanson signed a seven-year deal with the Cubs, bringing the couple to the same market after he spent his first six big league seasons with the Atlanta Braves.
Mallory Swanson’s absence has made this a bit of a rebuilding year for Chicago. The team (then known as the Red Stars) narrowly claimed the final spot in last…
