U.S. Women’s National Team player Mallory Swanson was recently carried off the field on a stretcher after tearing her patella. There’s no timetable for Swanson’s recovery, but she likely won’t return in time for this summer’s World Cup. She’ll also miss most, if not all, of the National Women’s Soccer League that started in March.

In an Instagram post, Swanson updated fans after her knee surgery. She wrote, “This is hard. I’m in shock and don’t have much to say other than thank you to everyone for the messages. I feel the love and prayers, and I’m holding them close to my heart. Surgery this morning was a success. I’m thankful for my trainers, doctors, coaches, and teammates for their help throughout this process.”

 

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A post shared by Mallory Pugh Swanson (@malpugh)

She ended the post by stating that God has all control, saying, “The beauty out of all of this is that God is always good. He’s got me and always has.” 2021 was also a year filled with injuries for Swanson, but amid the challenges, Swanson said she experienced spiritual growth. She told Sports Spectrum, “I feel like my identity was so wrapped up in soccer, and then when the game is kind of taken away from you, you start questioning.”

Swanson continued, “Am I actually supposed to be doing this? And I feel like God, He took that away from me so I could go find Him and that I could have a deeper relationship with Him.” Mallory Swanson’s husband, Darby, took her to surgery and later played his game against the Cubs. He left the game early, but not before striking for hits on four at-bats. After the game, he commented on the couple’s challenges and where their hope lies.

Referring to his wife, Darby stated, “She’s alright. Everybody knows it’s a pretty tough and heartbreaking situation. I’m heartbroken for her, just a lot of tears and sadness. Two things can be true at the same time: We can be sad and upset, but we can also understand God’s bigger picture and plans. We’ll get through it together.”

The couple got married in December of 2022 in Greensboro, Georgia. They met through Darby’s brother, who introduced them to each other. In a statement to People Magazine after their wedding, the couple said, “To get married in front of our family and friends is so special. It means that we are becoming one and get to impact God’s kingdom together.”