Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Mallory Swanson can’t stop scoring.
The United States Women’s National Team forward found the back of the net again on Sunday, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Japan at the SheBelieves Cup.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
MALLORY SWANSON SCORES IN HER FIFTH GAME🔥
Watch it #SheBelievesCup in the @hbomax pic.twitter.com com/xLEdNF7eTH
That’s now six goals in the last five games for Swanson, making her the first USWNT player to hit a five-game hitting streak since Christen Press between Nov. 2019 and Feb. 2020, according to TruMedia’s Paul Carr. Press has scored in six straight games overall.
Japan played well, with 15 shots (two on target) to just five for the United States (also two on goal). Japan also had seven corners to just one for the USWNT, although the Americans had a slight advantage in possession at 51 percent.
But there was one standout headliner from this match, and footy Twitter loved them some Swanson afterwards:
Kyle Bonn @the_bonnfire
I just had the same feeling about that Mallory Swanson goal that I had watching Marcus Rashford earlier today for Manchester United.
When he’s one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he doesn’t miss a shot. When you’re in shape, you’re in SHAPE.
What a player! #USWNT 1-0 to HT.
The United States has now won its first two SheBelieves Cup matches, also defeating Canada 2-0 on Thursday. And yes, that was the Swanson Show, too, as the hot forward passed two of the Canadiens.
“It’s in the moment,” USWNT manager Vlatko Andonvoski he told reporters after that fight. “He’s not just confident and playing well. It’s one of those things where you just feel it. And he feels it. That’s the simplest way I can put it.”
And that might just be the proverbial tip of the iceberg for the 24-year-old Swanson. Its potential is exciting.
“I wish I could tell you how far he can go,” Antonovski said after Thursday’s game. “I want to take credit for some of the things she does, but she’s just special. She’s so good that I don’t think anyone can take credit for what she can do except Mal.”
Brazil will look to halt Swanson’s miserable run of form on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET when he faces the United States. If past performances are to be believed, the Brazilians will have their hands full.