USWNT Forward Christen Press Ready for Breakout Performance at World Cup

If all goes according to plan, the soccer world will discover Christen Press this summer. A 26-year-old forward boasting speed, skill and intelligence in equal measure, Press could be the latest in a long line of outstanding American goalscorers. Since scoring twice and assisting another goal on her international debut two years ago, the Stanford University graduate has notched an impressive 20 goals in 45 senior caps.

But before the world could have its chance, Press first had to find herself.

A star at the collegiate level from 2007-10, Press set Stanford records for goals (71), assists (41) and points (183). But despite all her success, Press was far from happy. 

"I cried in almost every game I played," Press told USSoccer.com in a video interview. "I just felt so much stress and pressure that I was letting everyone down if I didn't score a goal or win the game. I carried that weight with me into every game."

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Press eventually shed that burden, thanks to a spell playing in Sweden. First, though, she went through a period of professional turmoil in the United States. Her career as a pro started well, with Press scoring eight goals for Women's Professional Soccer side magicJack in 2011, the third-best total in the league behind star names like Christine Sinclair, Marta and Abby Wambach. But WPS folded in 2012, forcing Press to look abroad for playing time.

She resurfaced with Kopparbergs/Goteborg FC in Sweden's top flight, the Damallsvenskan. That was when the pieces started coming together. As Press told Nike.com:

"

I fell in love with the game when I was finally at a distance from all of the anxiety triggers that I created. That was in Sweden. I played on a team that for the first time wasn’t the best team in the league. We weren’t expected to win. They had no expectations for me. I was just a random California girl who couldn’t speak any Swedish. That lack of expectation and pressure gave me the freedom and spirit to really find my passion for the game again.

"

That rekindled passion led to another period of success for Press, who netted 17 goals in 21 appearances with Goteborg. She moved to Tyreso, the reigning Swedish champions, in 2013 and scored 23 goals in 20 games to finish as the league's top scorer, a first for an American.

Meanwhile, Press was taking a different approach to life off the pitch. "I started practicing a lot of meditation at the time," Press told Nike.com. "We stress out over things we can't control. So if something is a stressor, you can just simply take the power away from it by focusing on something else."

Her style on the pitch evolved as well, with Press developing her vision and technical ability. As Press tells it, the difference had to do with simplifying her approach on the field and trying to think less about the past. "If I simply stay in that moment on the pitch and read the game, I can do so much more," she told Nike.com.

Press earned her first senior international cap in February 2013, scoring twice and adding an assist as the U.S. defeated Scotland. She scored again in her second match, also against Scotland, becoming the first American woman to net three goals in her first two international matches.

The Californian was starting to make quite a name for herself, both at the club and international level. After missing out on the 2012 Olympic squad, Press set her sights on making the U.S. team for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. And in the 2015 Algarve Cup final, she proved she belonged by scoring an impressive individual goal against France.

Taking possession at the midfield stripe, Press accelerated through the heart of France's team, blowing past three defenders with ease. Nearing the edge of the box, the 26-year-old coolly slotted past the goalkeeper to finish off her golazo.

"It was a run with confidence," U.S. coach Jill Ellis told Fox Sports. "She’s been picking up those balls underneath and it’s a great spot for her. She has great acceleration. It was a world-class goal."

Press added: "It doesn’t often work out so I was just excited that it worked out today."

This summer, Press will be hoping to repeat the feat in Canada as the U.S. seeks its third World Cup title. But while it's clear she has the talent to succeed on the biggest stage, Press might have to wait her turn in the Americans' crowded forward line. Abby Wambach, the team's all-time leader with 182 goals, is certain to start, and the speedy Alex Morgan was her primary partner at the last World Cup and the Olympics.

But even with all the competition, Press is likely to find some playing time, whether it is as a wide midfielder or in the front line. In his ranking of the top 50 players at the Women's World Cup, B/R's Andrew Gibney placed Press at No. 8, ahead of both Wambach and Morgan, and second best among American players behind only Carli Lloyd.

When she makes her way onto the pitch, Press will rely not only on her physical skills but also her intelligence to succeed. While dominating on the pitch at Stanford, Press also earned first-team Academic All-America honors and was named the Pac-10 Conference's Scholar Athlete of the Year.

"She's so creative, so smart," U.S. veteran Megan Rapinoe said.* "Her movement on and off the ball are great, and she's a fantastic finisher."

All together, that makes for an impressive resume, one that could see Press make a name for herself in the proud history of U.S. women's soccer. With dominating and legendary players like Mia Hamm and Wambach playing the position before her, Press has a tough act to follow. But this summer's World Cup could be her chance to become the next big American star.

Follow @MiguelCominguez

*This quote was obtained firsthand by the author.