Mallory Swanson to miss start of Chicago Stars training camp due to personal reasons

The Chicago Stars will open training camp without star forward Mallory Swanson, who will miss time due to personal reasons, the team announced Monday.

The Stars didn’t provide additional details but said they have been in contact with Swanson and “are fully supportive of her decision.”

“I’d like to thank the club and the fans for their understanding during this time,” Swanson said in a 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 is entering her fifth season with the Stars after tallying seven goals and four assists in 2024. Chicago reached the postseason but fell to eventual champion Orlando Pride in the quarterfinals.

Swanson took a break from the Stars midseason to play with the U.S. women’s national team at the Paris Olympics, where she was part of the team’s “Triple Espresso” of attacking forwards (Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith). The USWNT beat Brazil to win gold in Paris thanks to Swanson’s game-winning goal; she led the team with four goals in the Games.

On Monday, Chicago announced its preseason roster, which features 22 returning players from last season and offseason signees Halle Mackiewicz (goalkeeper), Micayla Johnson (forward), Maitane Lopez and Manaka Hayashi (midfielders).

The club will hold preseason training in Chicago before traveling to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., ahead of the start of the regular season.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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