Swanson’s Return Goal Sends Chicago to First Road Win Over Shorthanded Bay FC

The strike ended a four-game losing run, gave the Red Stars momentum ahead of the NWSL’s month-long World Cup pause, and featured a late ankle exit that coaches called precautionary.

Overview

Mallory Swanson scored in her second game back from maternity leave to win the match for Chicago on Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak and delivering the club’s first road victory of the season.
Bay FC finished with nine players after straight red cards to Aldana Cometti for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and to goalkeeper Jordyn Silkowitz for handling outside the box.
Bay’s would-be equalizer by Taylor Huff in the first half was overturned after a VAR review ruled offside, a decision that changed the match’s momentum.
Coach Martin Sjögren said Swanson is being managed on limited minutes and is at roughly 70 percent of full fitness, and she left in stoppage time with an ankle concern described as a precaution.
The result gives Chicago a boost as the NWSL schedule compresses before the month-long World Cup break and other league results on Sunday shifted early standings, so fitness and short-term form will shape teams’ positions when play resumes.