Mallory Swanson: The Star of the USWNT

Mallory Swanson (born as Mallory Diane Swanson) who is an American professional soccer player recently got into the limelight by scoring the only score of the Paris Olympics 2024 gold medal match making the US win gold.

Mallory Swanson
Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images via FoxNews

Before you read more, let's know more about her:

Name Mallory Swanson
Full Name Mallory Diane Swanson (née Pugh)
Age 26  (as of 2024)
Birthdate April 29, 1998
Birthplace Littleton, Colorado, United States
Nationality American
Spouse Dansby Swanson (married 2022)
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position Forward
Current Teams United States Women's National Soccer Team, Chicago Red Stars
Education University of California, Los Angeles, Mountain Vista High School
Net Worth $5 Million
Youth Teams Real Colorado
* Olympic Gold Medal (2024)
* FIFA Women's World Cup Champion (2019)
* Youngest Olympic Goalscorer for the United States (2016)
* NCAA Champion (2017 with UCLA)
* ESPY Award for Best College Athlete Women's Soccer (2017)
* NWSL Rookie of the Year (2016)
Social Media
* Instagram Mallory Pugh Swanson (@mallorypugh)
* X (formerly Twitter) Mallory Pugh Swanson (@mallorypugh)

Now to the main topic:

Why is Mallory Swanson Trending?

Why is Mallory Swanson popular? She plays for the US Women’s National Soccer Team, also known as the USWNT.

The latest performance that has placed her in the spotlight is her performance at the Paris Olympics. Particularly in the final match against Brazil, she aimed to score the only goal of the match and thus clinch the gold for the US. This coupled with some controversy surrounding the validity of the said goal has made her a subject of debate and social media with many news stations posting about her.

The goal Mallory Swanson scored in the gold medal match against Brazil in the Paris Olympics was the only goal that won the match for the USWNT, but the goal has been a topic of controversy. The first and main issue in dispute is whether Swanson was in an offside position at the time the goal was made.

While Mallory Swanson's goal was the game-winner, the USWNT's success was a team effort. Several players were instrumental in securing the gold medal:

  • Sophia Smith: This young forward is a rising star in her own right. Her speed and finishing ability complement Swanson's style of play.
  • Trinity Rodman: With her flair and creativity, Rodman added a dynamic element to the USWNT's attack.
  • Alex Morgan: A veteran of the team, Morgan's experience and leadership were invaluable.
  • Alyssa Naeher: The goalkeeper made crucial saves throughout the tournament, including several in the gold medal match.

These players, along with many others, contributed significantly to the team's overall performance.

Some people argued that a teammate, Sophia Smith, was in an offside position during the build-up to the goal and as such, should have been penalized.

  • Lack of Clear Replays: Despite the controversy, there was a noticeable absence of clear replays of the incident, which fueled speculation and accusations of bias.
  • Social Media Outrage: The lack of replays and the close call led to a storm on social media, with fans debating the legitimacy of the goal and expressing frustration with the lack of clarity.

Even though the officials on the field considered the goal to be legitimate, it has remained a subject of discussion and has kept both Mallory Swanson and the USWNT in the news, and the hot topic for the news channels.

Her parents (Horace Pugh, and Karen Pugh) shared that she always strives to make herself better and she doesn’t make it hard for herself.

The offside call that prevented Mallory Swanson from scoring a goal in the final match was a controversy that slightly tarnished the gold medal win of the USWNT and Swanson, but not to the extent of the win was overshadowed. The attention was immediately drawn to the victory that the team had earned and Swanson as the player who had made the difference.

The gold medal win was a landmark moment in Mallory Swanson’s athletic journey. Before the Olympics, she was already a young hopeful of the women’s soccer team, but this goal made her an overnight superstar.

  • Overcoming Injuries: Swanson's journey to the top has been marked by resilience. She has battled through several injuries, including one that kept her out of the 2023 World Cup. Her comeback and performance in the Olympics are a testament to her determination and talent.
  • Bright Future: With her exceptional skills, athleticism, and now, Olympic gold, Mallory Swanson is poised to become one of the biggest names in women's soccer. Her performance at the Paris Olympics has undoubtedly propelled her to new heights of fame and recognition.

The controversy surrounding the goal might be a footnote in Swanson's career but her talent and dedication are what will continue to drive her success.

We will see what happens next!