AUSTIN, Texas — Emily Fox and Lindsey Horan scored for the United States in a 2-0 victory Saturday against Ireland that was marred by what appeared to be a serious left knee injury to Mallory Swanson.
Swanson, the Chicago Red Stars standout who is married to Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, was carted off the field at Q2 Stadium and was taken to a hospital. She is the team’s leading scorer this year with seven goals as the United States prepares for the World Cup this summer.
The match also marked the return of midfielder Julie Ertz, who had not played for Team USA since the Tokyo Olympics.
The second of two matches against Ireland is set for Tuesday in St. Louis. The games are the final chance for U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski to evaluate his team before he must select a 23-player roster for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The United States fought off a barrage of shots in the 24th minute before Fox scored in the 37th with a low blast through a pair of defenders into the far corner. It was her first goal for the United States.
Swanson, 24, went down in the 40th minute, screaming in pain as teammates gestured frantically for the training staff. Swanson had scored in six straight matches for the United States, tying the fourth-longest in team history.
As Swanson was carted off the field, she made a heart with her hands for the crowd.
Horan scored on a penalty kick in the 80th minute. Afterward she ran to the corner and saluted the crowd.
Among the players vying for a World Cup spot was Ertz, who hadn’t played for more than 600 days because of injuries and the birth of her son. Ertz came in as a substitute in the 66th minute and was handed the captain’s armband by defender Becky Sauerbrunn.
Ertz is a veteran of two World Cups and was widely considered one of the top players in world at her position. She was honored before the game for her 100th appearance with the national team, which she earned in March 2020. Her husband, Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz, and their infant son were among those on the field for the ceremony.
Ireland is ranked No. 2 in the world, and its roster includes Denise O’Sullivan, who plays for the North Carolina Courage, Aoife Mannion of Manchester United and Katie McCabe of Arsenal.
The Irish also started Sinead Farrelly, who joined the team in practice this week and officially joined Friday. Farrelly accused former National Women’s Soccer League coach Paul Riley of misconduct, including sexual coercion in 2021. The allegations, published by The Athletic, sparked investigations by U.S. Soccer and the NWSL. Riley denied the claims.
Farrelly returned to the NWSL this season after nearly eight years away and is playing for Gotham.
