Why Christen Press Never Became The Starting USWNT Forward

In the final days of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Megan Rapinoe was reported to be nursing a hamstring injury and would be absent for the semi-final against England. Fans of USWNT and sports correspondents alike were in a panic. Rapinoe had five goals in the tournament and has long been considered the unimpeachable leader. How would the US Women fare without her? That’s where Christen Press came in.

Press not only filled Rapinoe’s position but rose to the occasion. She scored in the 9^th minute, a goal that put the USWNT over England for a 2-1 victory and straight into the finals. Press silenced all of the doubts that day and continues to do so. Even before this moment, she has shown all the potential in the world to be the USWNT’s next big name. But she’s always been prevented from reaching the heights some believe she is capable of reaching. She is so often put on the wings, never utilized in the center forward position she’s so good at. Some of us have been wondering, why?

While her current story is one of victories and triumphs, Press’s history is full of losses and missteps. She was on the losing side of three NWSL championships, left on the bench for the final games of the 2015 World Cup, and even missed out on Olympic gold in 2016. Her history as a player isn’t spotless, but it does show what great heights she can reach. She has fought back from some crushing defeats and has learned from all of them to grow and become an even better player. She’s shown to be a tremendous asset up front, but something has been keeping her out of that center position. And it’s something much more obvious than how well she can work the space on the outside of the field.

Christen Press Through The Years

Embed from Getty Images

The frontline of the USWNT has birthed some of the most notable names in sports history. Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, and today we have Alex Morgan and the incomparable Megan Rapinoe. The strength of the USWNT starting line, especially up front, is the main reason Press hasn’t yet become a fixture at starting center forward. It’s clear that she can handle herself when it comes down to it, but the players currently leading the line have a stranglehold on the positions.

Press has been given plenty of chances to prove herself and is currently playing with some of the absolute greats. Their greatness doesn’t diminish Press’s, it’s just hard to mess with a formula that is all but guaranteed to work. There are a few members of the USWNT who might be considering retirement soon, and if that happens Press will almost certainly be asked to step up. But with the strength of the class behind her, it’s hard to say for certain what the future holds for her position.

Press is the foot you want on a cross, either sending or receiving. She is deadly on the outside and makes the footwork necessary of working her way into the box look like child’s play. But for now, her skills best serve the team on the wings. Her star is definitely still on the rise and to see her supporting that center forward position and scoring either from her own merit or as an assist is always a joy to watch. Though fans have long been deprived (and might always be) from seeing Press consistently tear through defenses at center forward, her impact when she does play is undeniable.

During Press’s moment in the sun at the 2019 World Cup, I coined the phrase among my friends and fellow fans, “don’t sleep on Press.” And even though she’s not a fixture in the starting line-up, there’s no way anyone will ever forget about Christen Press.

Featured Image via Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images

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