Christen Press has an opportunity to complete an individual/team hybrid treble (if such a thing exists) in 2015. She already won the Women’s World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team. And with eight goals in six appearances for the Chicago Red Stars, she’s in second place in the National Women’s Soccer League in scoring.
Take into account that she’s played in eight less games than everyone in front of her, and is just one goal off the lead with five games remaining, Press has a very good shot of catching Washington’s Crystal Dunn for the scoring title.
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More importantly, you have the matter of winning the NWSL title. The Red Stars have been in first place most of the season, but are currently two points behind the Seattle Reign for the top spot in the table. The playoffs are #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3, single elimination. Barring a complete and total collapse, the Red Stars have accumulated enough points already that they are definitely headed to the postseason.
The biggest issue the Red Stars face right now is the (re)integration of seven 2015 World Cup players into their side following the conclusion of the quadriennial tournament. (It would have been eight, but Shannon Boxx retired) All of them have featured since returning from competing internationally, including Canadian international Adriana Leon, who started the game preceding Saturday night’s 2-2 draw with Washington.
“I’m still getting back into the swing of things, but it feels really good to be back and there’s no question that we have a great group,” the 22-year-old told the club website before the game.
“It’s not a coincidence that we’ve been at the top of the table for most of the season. The team has done really well without the internationals and the girls continue to keep developing and improving,” Leon said after joining up with the club after the World Cup.
“Even in the past, I always felt that we had really good players on this team. The biggest difference from last year is that the youngest ones from then are now more experienced and better physically and mentally. In addition, we added some great talent in the draft,” Leon continued.
Forwards Sofia Huerta (6 goals) and Jen Hoy (3) are second and third on the Red Stars in scoring, and maybe the young, up-and coming striker Leon, can provide the added scoring punch Chicago needs to stay in first and pull away from the pack. Leon made her first start since returning from the World Cup in the draw with Washington, but didn’t do much versus Kansas City.
Christen Press really imPRESSED versus Kansas City, scoring both goals for the Red Stars, and converting both of the shots on goal that she had.
“Christen Press is a very talented player, she’s probably one of the best when she gets in the box or right around the box, she’s so incredibly dangerous,” said Kansas City FC Defender Amy LePeilbet.
“Even when you’re tight she still gets a beautiful shot off. She’s a tough one. I always love playing her because as a defender you love a challenge. She makes you be her best.”
LePeilbelt and Becky Sauerbrunn form quite possibly the NSWL’s best center back pairing. You could easily have made an argument that Sauerbrunn was the USWNT’s best player this World Cup. So it makes the strong game that Christen Press had look even more impressive when you consider the strong competition she was going against.
“That was not fun, they’re terrible to play against, both of ’em and I was against Amy for most of the night and I think she had the best of me for most of the night, I told her that after the game,” Press said.
“I think that as a forward it’s good to play against the best, it leaves you wanting to be a lot better. They’re excellent center backs, they’re confident, step up and win a lot of balls, and make it difficult for forwards.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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