Well, it’s safe to say that fans of the U.S. women’s national team were holding their breath when star forward Mallory Swanson suffered a nasty-looking knee injury in a friendly match against Ireland. Swanson, a crucial player for the USWNT, collided with the Irish goalkeeper and was left in considerable pain on the field, resulting in a lengthy delay as medical staff rushed to her aid.

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup just around the corner, the potential loss of Swanson would be a major blow for the team. Her dazzling skills, pace, and goal-scoring prowess make her one of the top players in the game, and her absence could put the USWNT’s World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

In the short term, the USWNT will have to adjust to life without Swanson as they take on Ireland in a second friendly match on Tuesday. The team managed to secure a 1-0 victory in the first match, but they will undoubtedly miss Swanson’s presence on the field.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t the first time the USWNT has had to overcome adversity, and the team has plenty of talent to step up and fill Swanson’s shoes if she’s sidelined for the World Cup. With a wealth of attacking options such as Alex Morgan, Catarina Macario, and Sophia Smith, the USWNT still possesses a potent attack that can cause problems for any opponent.

At the end of the day, the USWNT has a winning mentality, and they’ll fight tooth and nail to succeed at the World Cup, with or without Swanson. While her injury is a setback, it could also serve as a rallying cry for the rest of the squad to step up and prove that they have what it takes to bring home the trophy.

So, while we all anxiously await updates on Swanson’s injury, let’s keep our fingers crossed that she makes a speedy recovery and is able to showcase her immense talent on the world’s biggest stage. If not, it’s time for the rest of the USWNT to dig deep and show the world that they’re still a force to be reckoned with – even without their star forward.