In Focus: Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars)
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
UEFA have released a list of players in the running for the 2013/14 UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe Award. WNL.ie reporter Rachael Stack will be taking a closer look at each player on the list. This article focuses on Christen Press.
Christen Press is a 25 year old professional soccer player from the United States. Christen signed for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after her time with Swedish side Tyresö FF had come to an end. Prior to playing for Chicago, Christen spent two years in the Swedish Damallsvenskan league.
Originally signing for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in 2012, Press finished out the season as the league’s second top goal scorer and won the Swedish championship. Christen transferred to close competitors Tyresö FF for the 2013 season. During her time with Tyresö, Christen was crowned the Damallsvenskan top goal scorer and played in this season UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Christen’s brace versus Birmingham City sealed the final spot versus VFL Wolfsburg. Unfortunately for Tyresö FF they were narrowly beaten on the night. Christen was also crowned the top goal scorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and soon afterwards moved back stateside to begin playing with the Chicago Red Stars.
Upon joining Chicago, Christen made an immediate impact on the team. Her debut game was away to the Portland Thorns who hold the biggest attendance in the league. Christen pulled back a draw after she scored a brace to equalise the sides on the 82nd minute against the UEFA European and Women’s Player of the year Nadine Angerer in front of over 10,000 Thorn’s fans. Since then Christen has played 10 games for the Red Stars scoring 4 goals. Christen’s next game is tonight versus the Boston Breakers where she and the Red Star’s hope to clinch some points in order to make the NWSL Semi Final playoffs on August 23rd/24th.
Internationally, Christen was an alternative player for the 2012 United States squad that won Gold at the Olympic Finals in London. Since then Christen earned her first Senior International cap in February 2013 versus Scotland where she scored a brace and earned the Player of Match. Currently Christen has 24 caps for the United States and 12 goals. Christen has been named in the USWNT squad which will face Switzerland in their upcoming game on August 20th at 7:30pm ET. The match will be broadcast live on – US Soccer.
You can follow Christen on Twitter or keep up to date with her blog.
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