Mallory Swanson activated for Chicago Stars

Chicago Stars FC activated forward Mallory Swanson from maternity leave on Saturday, returning one of the club’s most important attackers to selection ahead of its National Women’s Soccer League match against the North Carolina Courage. The move makes Swanson available for league action for the first time since the 2024 season, according to the club and the league’s latest availability report. Chicago announced the activation on its official website, and the NWSL report published Friday no longer listed Swanson on maternity leave. Chicago is scheduled to play North Carolina on Saturday at First Horizon Stadium in Cary, North Carolina. ### When did Chicago make Swanson available again? Chicago Stars FC said Saturday that Swanson had been activated from maternity leave, a roster move that clears her for selection. The club’s announcement came ahead of its Week 10 road match against North Carolina. The NWSL’s availability report, updated Friday, listed seven Chicago players as out but did not include Swanson on maternity leave. That report is the league’s public pre-match status update for player availability. ### How long has she been away from NWSL play? Swanson last appeared for Chicago in 2024, the club said in its activation announcement. Chicago described that season as a comeback year after a prior season-ending injury and said she led the team in regular-season goal contributions with 11. (chicagostars.com) The club said Swanson scored seven goals and added four assists in 2024. (nwslsoccer.com) Those numbers made her Chicago’s most productive attacking player in league play that season. ### What did Chicago say about her contract status? Chicago said Swanson signed a long-term contract in January 2024 that keeps her with the club through the 2028 season. (chicagostars.com) In that announcement, then issued under the club’s former Chicago Red Stars name, the team called it the most lucrative agreement in NWSL history at the time. The contract mattered beyond roster paperwork because it tied one of the most recognizable U.S. players to Chicago over multiple seasons. Chicago has continued to cite that deal in its current roster materials and player updates. ### Could she play against North Carolina on Saturday? Saturday’s schedule lists Chicago visiting the North Carolina Courage at 5:30 p.m. (chicagostars.com) CT, with the match set for First Horizon Stadium and broadcast on ION. Activation from maternity leave makes Swanson eligible for selection, though the club had not publicly confirmed a starting role before kickoff. Chicago entered the match at 2-7-0 with 6 points, according to the club’s preview, while North Carolina was 2-3-3 with 9 points. The same preview said Chicago was seeking its first road victory of the 2026 season. ### What has Chicago looked like without her? Chicago’s official team page shows the club with 4 goals through 9 matches and 6 points entering Week 10. (chicagostars.com) Those numbers underscore how limited the attack has been in the opening stretch of the 2026 season. The league availability report also showed Chicago carrying multiple absences into the weekend, including Michelle Alozie, Katie Atkinson, Tessa Dellarose, Emma Egizii, Bea Franklin, Natalia Kuikka and Taylor Wood. (chicagostars.com) Swanson’s return gives coach Martin Sjögren another option as the club tries to improve its scoring output. ### What comes next on Chicago’s schedule? (nwslsoccer.com) Chicago’s next listed match after North Carolina is a May 24 road game against Bay FC at 4:00 p.m. CT, according to the club schedule. The Stars then return home on May 31 to face San Diego Wave FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. (chicagostars.com) (nwslsoccer.com)