Will USWNT’s Christen Press be the breakout star of the 2020 Olympics?

After a dominating performance in the CONCACAF qualifiers, Christen Press is on her way to being a breakout star at the upcoming Olympics.

If you haven’t been closely following Christen Press’ career up to this point, now is the time to start. Unsurprisingly, the USWNT walked away from the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers as champions with Christen Press earning the Golden Ball award.

Coach Andonovski tried out different starting lineup combinations throughout the tournament as he attempts to piece together his 18-player team for the 2020 Olympics. But it’s not as simple as cutting two players from the 20-player CONCACAF qualifier squad.

What happens if Alex Morgan comes back in full form in time for the first game? Or players like Mallory Pugh who were part of the 2019 World Cup squad come back into the picture?

All of the players he has to choose from are incredibly talented, but with her recent and past performances, Christen Press has made a case for herself not only to be on the 18-player Olympic roster, but also to be a consistent starter and a dominant, powerhouse contributor.

For those who have followed Press’ career, you’ll know she was dominant back in her Stanford University days where she won the Hermann Trophy in 2010 as college soccer’s best player, and finished with 71 goals and 41 assists. She continued to play professionally after college in both the US and Sweden, but she never really made waves on the USWNT front until recent years.

This is perhaps because despite her obvious talent and readiness to perform at the senior level, players such as Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan were locking up the spots in the front line. It would be hard for anyone to break into a lineup that strong. But as Press told the Los Angeles Times,

"With a new year, new coach, there’s always more opportunities. I think I’m ready for whatever could possibly be thrown my way."

And with Abby Wambach retired and Rapinoe and Lloyd getting older, Press has found herself in a unique position, thanks to her prowess as an athlete and intelligence both on and off the field, to be the next in a line of impressive players who have come to inspire a generation of young athletes.

After a particularly thrilling showing in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, Press let loose a barrage of goals at the CONCACAF qualifiers. She showed composure, speed, and technical skill with 5 goals that included a chip over the goalkeeper and a left footed bent beauty.

She continues to become more polished and confident with every passing game, and her consistency on the field is exactly what the team needs heading into the Olympics. If she continues this way, she will be leading the USWNT front line as the most dangerous and formidable forward in their lineup.