The Chicago Red Stars will be represented on the US Women’s National Team roster by two of their biggest contributors. Team Captain and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will return to her office between the goalposts and leading scorer Mal Swanson anchors the attacking line.
“It’s always a fun conversation to get the official invite” said Naeher, who has yet to meet Emma Hayes “I think we're obviously both excited for this summer and excited to get to work together.”
Mal Swanson returns to the USWNT for an international championship for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. She has the most caps as a forward on the new attacking line. “I'm obviously very excited. Just for everything. That group is powerful, and explosive and creative… I think I'm excited just to see what we all can bring” Swanson said of the new lineup.
Hayes praised the “natural telepathy” between Swanson and forward Sophia Smith. “She's an unpredictable player. So you never know, as a defender what she's going to bring, which I think is such a special quality” Swanson said of working with Smith. “[I’ve] known her for a long time and just to see her flourish into the player that she is today is super special and I definitely think she has a lot the world hasn't seen yet and so yeah, I'm excited for her.”
Naeher and Swanson hope to lead this team to victory in a time of transition for the USWNT. “I think we've got a really good mix and blend of some veteran presences on the team. And obviously a lot of youth as well, and a lot of players kind of in that in between era have played in the World Cup not played in the Olympics yet” said Naeher. “I think everyone's you know, kind of eager to get to get out there to get started and have an opportunity to play in the Olympic Games.”
The Red Star Olympians head to pre-Olympic camp after this weekend’s match against the Houston Dash. The USWNT will play two send-off matches: July 13th in Harrison, NJ against Mexico, and July 16th in Washington DC against Costa Rica.