By Jeff Vorva
Correspondent
After missing most of the 2023 NWSL season due to surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon, Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson knew she would have to ease into things in 2024.
First-year coach Lorne Donaldson was expecting Swanson would return to form five or six games in.
Whether she is completely back in form is not 100 percent clear, but she is back to scoring goals. Swanson’s left-footed goal in the 64th minute after taking a Jenna Bike pass helped the visiting Red Stars to a 1-1 tie with Orlando on March 29.
After three games, Chicago is unbeaten at 2-0-1.
“I don’t really know how to explain it, but what I have learned the past three games is that it takes time, and I needed to give myself a little more time and I needed to give myself a little more grace,” Swanson said. “Honestly, I just needed to take a deep breath and shoot the ball.”
Bike was happy she could deliver the ball to Swanson for her first career NWSL assist.
“It was great to be a part of Mal’s first goal back,” Bike said. “She is the type of player who makes everyone around her better, and it’s been one of the highlights of my career to play with a player like her.”
Orlando (0-0-3) scored in the 21st minute on an own goal when the ball deflected off Red Stars defender Tyler Malham.
The Red Stars have this weekend off. They return to action at 8:30 p.m. April 13 against Angel City at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Milazzo makes season debut
Orland Park native Tatumn Milazzo has been a mainstay in the Red Stars lineup the past two seasons, but the defender didn’t play in the first two games this year.
She subbed into the Orlando match in the 65th minute for Malham.
“I though putting her on the right side was a better matchup,” Donaldson said of Milazzo. “If there is a better matchup and we need someone who needs to be in the game because of the matchup, we will pull the plug.
“I can start different people depending on the matchup and the situation.”