A terrifying Mal Swanson injury overshadowed the USWNT’s 2-0 victory vs. Ireland in a friendly match at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.
Swanson went down injured twice in the first half. The first came when Swanson collided with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan after Ireland’s Aofie Mannion shoved Swanson in the back. The star American forward was down for several minutes with what appeared to be a neck injury.
¡Qué golpe se llevó @MalPugh!
En su intento por recibir un pase largo, la figura de @USWNT terminó muy lastimada.EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/1WJrYTMzVI
0-0 #USWNTtelemundo #USWNT #TeamUSA #AmistosoInternacional pic.twitter.com/JJk8OU1rkd
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 8, 2023
Surprisingly, Swanson was able to walk off the field and continue playing.
The horror knee injury took place in the 40th minute when Swanson and Mannion went for the same ball. Swanson suffered an injury to her left knee and went down screaming in pain. The medical cart was called for immediately.
Warning: the injury to Swanson’s knee is graphic
Mal Swanson knee injury
¡SE ENCIENDEN LAS ALARMAS!
EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/1WJrYTMzVI
1-0 #USWNTtelemundo #USWNT #TeamUSA #AmistosoInternacional pic.twitter.com/URfRIyZMEC
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 8, 2023
Mallory Swanson is carted off the pitch in the USWNT's game against Ireland with what appears to be a serious injury three months before the World Cup.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 8, 2023
Swanson was taken to a nearby hospital. The severity of the injury is unknown as the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup opener is just over three months away.
Swanson has arguably been the best player for the national team in 2023 with at least one goal in the previous seven games. She had nine goals in the last seven USWNT games.
She received a litany of support online.
We're always with you, @MalPugh pic.twitter.com/nuomrsJNNa
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
We love you, Mal ❤️
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 8, 2023
We take a minute from our match to send Mallory well wishes. We're with you Mal ❤️
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) April 8, 2023
Mal Swanson was carted off the field after suffering a left knee injury.
Sending her our best wishes. pic.twitter.com/mSSROFFieG— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) April 8, 2023
All the prayers for Mal absolutely hate to see that.
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) April 8, 2023
We don’t have the words. Mal Swanson is in the form of her life.
3 months before the World Cup.This is not fair.
— AO (@AmericanOutlaws) April 8, 2023
Emily Fox’s first career international goal opened the scoring in the 37th minute. Fox’s shot from distance couldn’t have been placed any better as it nestled into the side netting.
@___emilyfox pic.twitter.com/XWmfSoZKuL
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
Ireland looked threatening at times especially on set pieces. Alex Morgan had a goal line clearance in the first half after an Irish corner in the 19th minute. Ireland had a goal called back in first half stoppage time for offside.
⚠️ ¡LA QUE SACÓ ALEX MORGAN!
Justo sobre la línea de gol, la delantera salvó a @USWNT del primero de la República de Irlanda.EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/1WJrYTMzVI
0-0 #USWNTtelemundo #USWNT #TeamUSA #AmistosoInternacional pic.twitter.com/QaK7o3FD25
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 8, 2023
@ALYSSANAEHER UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/3XE5CDh9aL
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
1-0
So close from Ireland! Kya Carusa has the ball in the back of the net with a cushioned header, but she had strayed fractionally offside as Heather Payne whipped in the cross pic.twitter.com/6lBLUZm0oD— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 8, 2023
In the second half Julie Ertz made her long-awaited return to the USWNT after going 611 days without playing in a competitive match for club or country.
For the first time in 611 days, @julieertz is back on the field for the #USWNT pic.twitter.com/lyOQMwuQvp
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
Ertz provided a great pass to Lindsey Horan who was then dragged down in the box. Horan was able to convert the ensuing penalty and double the lead.
She draws the penalty, and she converts!
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
The USWNT and Ireland will play again at St. Louis’ new CITYPARK stadium on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m ET.
