SportsOlympics

Actions

Colorado native helps women's national team get Olympic gold medal for USA Soccer

Mallory Swanson's uncle in Pueblo explains how much this means for his family and community
One uncle in Pueblo is excited to watch his niece chase down the gold
Swanson’s goal enough for USWNT to claim gold medal in 1-0 win vs. Brazil
Posted
and last updated

PUEBLO — A Colorado native, with ties in Pueblo, helped push the United States Women's National Team to secure Olympic Gold Saturday morning.

USA women's soccer bested Brazil 1-0 after the 90th minute. The only goal coming from Mallory Swanson of Colorado.

Mallory Swanson's uncle, Kennedy Pugh, lives in Pueblo.

"I want to be on the US soccer team and win a gold medal," read Pugh.

That was Swanson's goal in 6th grade and she is nearly there.

"Really thrilled and there's a bit of, like it's kind of surreal that she's on the world stage like that," said Pugh.

Pugh told me this will be Swanson's 100th 'cap' or soccer match with the U.S. Women's National Team.

"We're really just proud of her because she really maintained a humility and is really just grounded," said Pugh. "She's just the Mal that just likes to kick the ball around."

He showed me some of her awards, "in high school, she won Gatorade Player of the Year."

Pugh said Swanson was playing soccer at four years old. Then she competed in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Now, the whole family is cheering her on at the 2024 games.

"We just love you and just support you and we know that you have it, that you got it so go get it," said Pugh.

___

Astronomy fans have a new cosmic visitor to watch for over the next few weeks

Colorado has some of the best places in the country to look at the stars, and over the next two weeks, you can see the comet of the year if you know where and when to look.

Astronomy fans have a new cosmic visitor to watch for over the next few weeks

News Tips
What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue we should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let our newsroom know with the contact form below.

____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.