It’s not often that a former #1 overall pick gets second billing. But, when it comes to Mallory Pugh’s boyfriend Dansby Swanson, it sure makes sense. When your girlfriend is a member of the USWNT and on the brink of winning a FIFA World Cup, she takes top billing.
When did Mallory Pugh’s boyfriend Dansby Swanson enter the picture?
This star crossed athlete relationship began in December of 2017. Dansby had apparently recently broken up with his ex girlfriend when they met at a wedding of Dansby’s teammate Jace Peterson. Two professional athletes on different seasonal schedules, in different cities sets up the mother of all long distance challenges. But Mallory Pugh’s boyfriend makes it work. In an article with The Athletic (subscription required & recommended), Dansby and Mallory go into details for how they survive.
Pugh, who plays professionally for the Washington Spirit, is from Highlands Ranch, Colo., and lives in the Denver area during the offseason. Between her hectic schedule and Swanson’s, it’s not easy carving out time to spend together. But mix in a lot of FaceTime with plenty of jet flights and a strong desire to make it work, and they think it can. So far, it certainly has.
“We make sacrifices for each other,” said Swanson, 25. “Whenever she gets some time to see me, she does. And if I can ever work it out, I go see her.”
Dansby goes into detail about his admiration for Mallory, noting awe at her workout. “She gets after it, dude.”
About top billing again?
Even Dansby knows his rank. In that same article with The Athletic, he knows his girlfriend takes the marquee saying
“Oh, she’s definitely more famous than me,” Swanson said, smiling. “She’s way more popular than me — more followers on everything. It’s a worldwide sport.”’
But between it all. Baseball, soccer and the ups and downs of life, Dansby recognizes the chain of events that it took to land where he is now. After being the first pick by Arizona, he was dealt to Atlanta just the next year. And that’s only served to enhance his entire life ,as he tells The Sporting News
There are just so many things that have happened in life. I didn’t understand why I got traded and now I never would have met the girl I’m with now if I wouldn’t have been traded.
…
She plays soccer for the U.S. Soccer team. We never would have met, obviously, if I didn’t get traded to Atlanta. Would never have met Jace, the whole thing. So I’m thankful now, looking back at the little things that led to that. Would never have met her, never have had that blessing. When we met was after the worst year of my life, and that completely did a 180. For whatever reason, there’s a reason. You may not see it when you’re going through it, but then all of a sudden the floodgates open up. It’s pretty awesome.
And that attitude is pretty awesome too. Easy to root on these two in general, and we all will be stateside in the World Cup Championships this weekend!
