Stars F Mallory Swanson (personal) to miss season opener

Mallory Swanson will not play in the Chicago Stars' season opener on Friday as the star forward remains out for personal reasons.

Swanson, 26, has not participated in training camp for personal reasons and team will proceed without her for at least the first game of the season, on the road against the Orlando Pride, who won the 2024 title.

"I'd like to thank the club and the fans for their understanding during this time," Swanson said in a January statement. "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."

Swanson scored seven goals with four assists in 25 games for the Stars last season. A member of the United States' women's national team, she scored the lone goal in the gold-medal match against Brazil in the 2024 Olympics and scored four times in the tournament.

A key contributor on the winning 2019 World Cup team, she did not play in the 2023 event because of a serious knee injury.

In 103 matches with the USWNT since 2016, Swanson has scored 38 goals. In 100 NWSL games with the Washington Spirit (2017-19), Sky Blue FC (2020) and Stars, she has scored 33 goals.

--Field Level Media