Chicago Stars Urged to Avoid Becoming ‘One-Dimensional’ With Mallory Swanson by Signing Utah Royals Star

With the 2024 NWSL season officially concluded, teams are now already eyeing the next year. To become title contenders, each side will look to make talented additions. No wonder that the latest star to become the subject of transfer speculation is Utah Royals forward Ally Sentnor. While many clubs are likely interested in the USWNT star, she has been urged to join the Chicago Stars to ‘take some pressure off’ Mallory Swanson.

Why have one when you could have two belles of the ball? Though the Chicago Reds (going to be the Chicago Stars next year) may have good attacking options aside from Swanson, Sebastian Salazar wants them to add at least another big-shot player to make things easier for the 26-year-old forward.

“How many times did we watch the Chicago Stars and think, ‘Boy, they gotta have something other than Mal,'” began Salazar on the latest segment of ESPN FC’s Futbol W. “Because if Swanson’s not doing it, you kind of felt when you were watching Chicago, nothing else was gonna happen.”

“Chicago is one team but I don’t think there are a lot of teams that would look at Ally Sentnor and say ‘We don’t want this player,’ not just for the future but for right now. But a team like Chicago at the end, was kind of exposed as a one-dimensional team with Swanson,” added the former Colombian midfielder.

It’s like Orlando Pride, who have not just one big-name player. The combination of Marta, Barbra Banda, and Angelina helps either of these stars divert the attention of opposition defenders. However, in the case of the Chicago Stars, it’s mostly Swanson, who has the extra attention of rival players and ends up getting double or even triple-teamed.

“You had another dangerous piece up top, it would help the team a lot and it would take some pressure off Swanson, and that’s always good,” Salazer added before concluding, “If Chicago is going to be good moving forward, not just kind of average, they need to add some pieces around Swanson whether it’s Ally Sentnor or not.”

While it is indeed quite crucial advice for the Chicago Stars, the question looms about how someone like Ally Sentnor can be of great help to them.

How will Ally Sentnor help both Mallory Swanson and the Chicago Stars?

The 20-year-old has endured a significant rise in her name this season. Having been the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft, Ally Sentnor managed to find her place in the Utah Royals as a regular starter. This year, she made over 20 appearances for the Jimmy Coenraets and Co. while also notching 3 goals and 4 assists.

She recently got her call-up in the USWNT and even made her debut under Emma Hayes, getting in the last minutes of the games against England and the Netherlands that ended in a stalemate and 1-2 win, respectively. Even though she is young, the Chicago Stars will be able to get her services even from a long-term POV.

Not to mention, under Swanson’s guidance, Sentnor will have the opportunity to learn and gain the much-needed development she requires from the recent Olympic medalist. Overall, it could prove to be a valuable addition if the Chicago Stars decide to pursue Ally Sentnor—especially for the benefit of their star player, Mallory Swanson.