Cristina Alexander

Pressure is off for Mallory Swanson, for the new moms to come back, obviously, on the field.

We're very excited to see them.

But, Ali, what stood out to you the most about this chat you had with Mallory?

I think something that stood out to me just because I could relate a little bit with, you know, motherhood and wanting to, you know, show your kids that you could do what you love and still be a great mom.

And you want to show your kids that they can do anything they want and dream big and do anything that's possible.

And I think that's something that she said, that she wants Josie to see her every single day to be able to, you know,

see her mom do what she loves to do.

And that, you know, being a mom and being a professional athlete can happen.

And so I think it was very calm, grounded.

She looked, you know, confident and content.

You know, there's no real urgency to get back before the season's first game, right?

Because, you know, she has to be smart about the return to play.

But something, you know,

That stood out also.

She looks like a veteran leader now, which is crazy because she was only 16 when she joined the national team.

Crazy.

When I was still there.

And I just think of her as that 16-year-old phenomenon that was incredible to watch and play alongside and perform with.

So it's really great to see her back because then now we know that the triple espresso could be possible.

It's obviously going to look a lot different and possibly even better.