Every year, Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Sports list celebrates outstanding young athletes, visionaries, and innovators who have redefined the standards in their fields. Being featured on the list is a mark of elite status and among the 2025 honorees, Malloy Swanson, at 26, stood out as the only soccer player, joining the likes of basketball star Caitlin Clark and track sensation Gabby Thomas, among others. 

And she rightfully deserves it if we take a look back at the year she’s had. Swanson was instrumental in the USWNT side that won Olympic Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She found the back of the net 4 times, which also included the winning goal in the final against Brazil. Being a part of the USWNT since she was 17, the Chicago Red Stars is one of the key players under Emma Hayes. 

Speaking of the Chicago Red Stars, she made headlines in January 2024 by signing a landmark five-year contract with the Chicago Red Stars, reportedly valued at over $2 million, which was the largest NWSL contract at that time. That title now belongs to Sophia Smith after she signed a two-year contract extension with the Portland Thorns. 

In the 60 appearances that she’s made for Chicago, Swanson has 38 goal contributions, which is the same as the number of goals she has scored for the United States. From being the U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year in 2019 to making it in the NWSL Best XI, she’s done it all and is currently at the top of her game. 

Now featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Mallory Swanson joins an elite group that includes 22 women and 16 people of color, highlighting the diversity of this year’s honorees. Now that nominations for another prestigious award have been announced, she is once again a favorite to win. However, this time, she will be competing against those who she knows very well. 

Which Espresso for Player of the Year?

That’s right, the trio of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson have all been nominated for the US Soccer Player of the Year award. Joining them is last year’s winner, Naomi Girma, and veteran goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, who is set to play her final international match against the Netherlands.

Individually, all of them have had outstanding seasons. Smith is among the top scorers, Rodman led the Washington Spirit to another NWSL final, and Swanson’s performances this year have been nothing short but stellar. Girma has once again proven to be a rock at the back, and Naeher has capped off her legendary career in style. 

With all five having legitimate claims to the title, it remains to be seen which one of them brings it home. For Emma Hayes, she will have nothing much to worry about for every time these players make it to the starting XI, they always look like favorites to win, no matter how big the occasion is.