Chicago City Wire

Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and forward Mallory Swanson received National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Week 14 honors, the league announced today. Naeher earned NWSL Save of the Week, presented by Deloitte, while Swanson was awarded NWSL Goal of the Week for their performances in Chicago’s 3-0 shutout of San Diego Wave FC on June 28.

In the 51st minute of the June 28 match, San Diego Wave forward Jaedyn Shaw took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box aimed at the upper right corner of the net. Naeher reacted swiftly, managing to tip the ball above the crossbar with a full extension. This save preserved Chicago’s lead and contributed to their clean sheet.

Mallory Swanson doubled Chicago's lead in the 67th minute. The play began with rookie forward Jameese Joseph pressuring San Diego's back line. Joseph intercepted a pass and found an open Swanson in space beyond the last defender. Swanson controlled Joseph's pass and scored with a left-footed shot that glanced off the crossbar into the net. This marked Swanson’s sixth goal of 2024 and advanced her to fourth place in the Golden Boot Race.

The Goal of the Week honor is Swanson’s first such award and marks the first time a Red Star has earned this accolade since Sam Kerr in Week 16 of 2019. Naeher’s eighth career Save of the Week honor is her second in 2024, following her Week 1 win on March 20. She joins Tatumn Milazzo as Red Stars players who have won two Save of the Week honors in 2024.

Naeher, Swanson, and their teammates return home from a three-week road trip to host Houston Dash on July 6 at SeatGeek Stadium. Gates open at 11 a.m. CT for Kids Day celebrations before kickoff at noon CT. Tickets can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets. Following this match, Olympians Naeher and Swanson will join the United States Olympic Women’s Soccer Team for send-off matches ahead of their departure for the Paris Olympics.