Swansons add gold medal to trophy case as Mallory delivers for USWNT

CHICAGO -- Dansby Swanson walked into the visitors’ clubhouse at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday afternoon wearing a United States women’s national team jersey with his wife’s No. 9 on the back. A few hours earlier, he was on the edge of his seat watching her in the gold-medal game against Brazil at the Olympics.

“In the basement by myself like I’ve been for every other game -- just locked in on the game,” the Cubs' shortstop said with a laugh. “I definitely let out some fist pumps and screams and got up off the couch and then right back into the same spot. Not messing with the mojo.”

Mallory Swanson scored in the 57th minute to help lead the USWNT to a 1-0 victory in Paris, capturing the United States’ fifth gold medal overall and first since the 2012 London Games. In the wake of the historic win overseas, Dansby received a call from Mallory, who was in the middle of celebrating.

“She had like two seconds to just say hi,” Swanson said. “I told her to just go and enjoy it and not worry about me. Go enjoy this incredible moment and just soak it all in.”

Last year, Mallory Swanson sustained a torn left patella tendon in her knee in a USWNT match against Ireland on April 8. It ended her season and led to a long comeback that robbed her of the opportunity to compete in the Women’s World Cup.

Dansby Swanson has spoken often of being inspired by how she handled the road back. He used Saturday as a chance to do so once again before going 2-for-4 with his 1,000th career hit in a 3-1 Cubs victory.

“In God’s beauty and brilliance, he can take something that’s so devastating and create something even more amazing than one could ever imagine,” Swanson said. “It’s just a testament to her and her gratitude, her joy, her love, grace -- any positive attribute you can come up with -- just how she’s handled every bit of this is amazing.”

On March 16, the Cubs' shortstop made sure he was in the stands in Utah, where Mallory Swanson made her return with the Chicago Red Stars (her team in the National Women’s Soccer League). In the lead-up to the Olympics, Swanson has worn her jersey on match days, and her games have been on the clubhouse TVs when the timing works out. In June, the Red Stars played a match at Wrigley Field.

Swanson was asked if he considered asking Cubs manager Craig Counsell for this weekend off to travel to Paris for the gold-medal game.

“She told me not to, so I listened,” Swanson said. “Obviously, I have a duty and a responsibility here as well. I’m doing my best to stay connected with her and everything that’s been going on.”

Counsell chuckled when asked how he would have handled that type of request.

“I’m not sure what I would’ve said,” Counsell said. “I would’ve understood. It has to be hard to be here, frankly. It has to be really hard to be here.”

Counsell was also watching the match ahead of the Cubs’ game against the White Sox.

“I was rooting hard,” Counsell said. “I’m thrilled for the Swansons for sure, and all those women, man. They’re fierce. It was fun to watch. I watched nearly every game. It’s fun. It was a fun little journey they took us on.”

During the Olympics, Mallory Swanson led the national team with four goals throughout the tournament. In the final match, Korbin Albert sent a through pass in the direction of Swanson and Sophia Smith. Swanson received the ball and sent it past the goalkeeper and into the back-right corner with her right foot to put the United States ahead.

Dansby Swanson was asked if -- in the moment -- he thought Mallory was offside.

“No, I didn’t think she was,” he said. “I thought Sophia was, but obviously she didn’t end up playing the ball, which kept the play going.”

Mallory Swanson threw her arms out to her sides as she ran and celebrated, leading to what the Cubs' shortstop called an “epic picture.” He shared the photo on his Instagram page shortly after the win.

“It was definitely a memory and a moment that I’ll never forget,” he said. “I’m just so happy for her. It’s hard to even really put into words how happy I am for her.”