USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski must determine his priorities for the now-vacant left wing position – and faces many options
Mallory Swanson was all set up to be a breakout star for the United States women's national team at this summer's Women's World Cup. The 24-year-old left winger began 2023 in the goalscoring form of her life with seven goals in her first five games of the calendar year. Even among a group of talented young attacking players, she stood out.
It's a testament to how much the USWNT relied on her production that Andonovski admitted he hadn't considered a reality in which he would be without her Australia and New Zealand until she tore her patella on Saturday in a friendly against Ireland.
"Even though we have a pretty good idea of where the players are at and their abilities, we're still going to have to look a little bit deeper because no one expected what happened in the last game," he told reporters. "We're gonna have to go back and rewatch lots of games and lots of trainings and see who fits where and how they are gonna help us in different moments to be successful."
With questions in midfield and defense, the USWNT absolutely needs to get its front-line going from the start at the World Cup to have a serious chance of contention.
GOAL breaks down the USWNT's top options to replace Swanson in its World Cup lineup below…
Getty ImagesMegan Rapinoe
A two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist, Rapinoe's track record doesn't need any embellishment. She's an all-time USWNT great who has played alongside presumed starting striker Alex Morgan since some of the other players on this list were in elementary school.
Rapinoe was going to make the World Cup roster regardless of Swanson's injury situation, but she's now a leading candidate to start who has proven before that she can make magic at an advanced age.
Andonovski must determine whether the 37-year-old (who will be 38 when the tournament begins) still has the legs to play World Cup caliber soccer for a full 90 minutes, or if she might be more effective as an option off the bench. Whether she can get quality reps in between now and the World Cup will likely determine her fate.
"The first thing with Pinoe, the first thing is we want her to be back healthy, too," said the head coach. "We want to see her back on the field and, just like the other players that we mentioned earlier, she comes into play as well."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAlyssa Thompson
Thompson is one of the three youthful options here, and her call-up to camp to replace Swanson suggests she's at least in position to make the squad.
She is currently taking a step forward at club level with Angel City, scoring a wonderful goal in her debut last month. She has impressed Andonovski with her confidence on the ball.
A teenager at a World Cup cannot be shy with their play, and the 18-year-old is not someone who would defer to teammates or shrivel because of increased attention. She has always been a killer.
"The first thing I'm gonna say is she is an exciting player," Andonovski gushed as he announced Thompson was joining the USWNT this week. "She has abilities to turn in small areas that that not many players have. She turns and accelerates with the ball and runs at the defense with confidence. I almost want to say, sometimes for an 18 year old, it's borderline arrogant the way she goes at you.
"She can eliminate players on the dribble and we've seen her score some some good goals as well, so we're excited to have her in this environment and we're looking forward to seeing her on the field."
GettyTrinity Rodman
Speaking of not shy, there's Rodman, the second pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and the league's highest-paid player. She speaks her mind – even when it occasionally ruffles the feathers of soccer veterans – and backs it with strong play on the field.
Amid a brief social media spat last year with USWNT goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, which came shortly after her international debut, Harris wrote about Rodman: "Oh my bad… one camp in and she’s feeling confident hunny."
Of course Rodman is confident. At 20 years old, she already has 19 NWSL goal involvements and a title. Take a look at this weaving run and try to tell yourself you wouldn't act with a little spice if you had her skill set.
Rodman was subbed on for Swanson when Swanson went down this past weekend, and she may be the most likely candidate to get the nod for the USWNT's World Cup opener if she plays well in the NWSL in the coming months.
Getty ImagesLynn Williams
Williams is a three-time NWSL title winner and 2016 MVP. She has 52 USWNT caps and 15 goals with the Stars and Stripes, including the fastest debut goal in their history. Yet the 29-year-old, initially seen as a depth player for the World Cup, is sometimes overlooked in discussions about the team's key members.
She has waited patiently for the opportunity to take on a greater role.
“When you’re already preparing, you have that in the back of your mind a little bit: If your name is called, you just continue to be ready,” she said. “If my name is called, then I know I’ve prepared. I have listened, and I’ve watched and everything to be ready to go and give whatever the team needs me to be.”