#christenpress
#JenniHermoso
#vero
#marta
#uswnt
#Sweden
#Tyresö
It is known Christen Press went to Sweden to play soccer, but how well do you know its story?
Christen Press wanted to play for the USWNT. She knew they were watching. She was playing against and with players that were already on it, like her college friend, Kelley O’Hara, was already in the USWNT and yet she wasn’t getting a call up. At this time, she didn’t like soccer due to expectations and pressure. She recalls those days as the “awful days.” After her rookie season playing for MagicJack, the league folded, and she was unemployed.
She signed with Kopparberg and later Tyresö in Sweden, and she gave up her goal of playing for the national team.
She met amazing people (Jenni Hermoso, Vero Boquete, Marta Silva, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Olivia Schrouch, etc.) who would later become her longtime friends. Some say Christen and Vero had something going on during their time in Sweden ?? Christen fell in love with soccer once again, scoring a goal almost every game, and she even learned to speak Spanish due to her roommates, Jenni Hermoso and Vero Boquete both being Spanish players. Christen jokes that she has learned more Spanish from her time in Sweden, than her whole life learning it.
Her team would play other teams, such as PSG, where Tobin Heath and Lindsey Horan played, and would reconnect with later on.
She wrote a blog about her memories and adventures with the team, which is what inspired me to make this. Then, due to tax payments and financial problems, the Sweden league folded, just like with MagicJack. However, this time was different, because she knew she had gained something more. She wasn’t playing for the scores anymore.
Every member was released and went their separate ways, occasionally bumping into each other while playing the sport they love.
Christen Press ironically got the call up to play for the USWNT, being the 9th all-time scorer with 60 goals. She reconnected with Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Kelley O’Hara. In 2020, she signed a contract to play for Man United. Up to this day, she still claims Sweden is a country that she holds very dear to her heart. “I had completely lost my love of the game and had lost my way playing here. I thought I wasn’t good enough. And when I went there [Sweden], I had that freedom to play for myself, to learn soccer and reignite my passion” -Christen
Jenni Hermoso got the chance to play for her county at the age of 17 and is currently the top scorer in Spain's history. Once she left Sweden, she signed for Barca. She has played in the Atlético Madrid, PSG and she resigned for Barca in 2019.
Vero Boquete used to play for Spain’s National Team. Not really sure what happened, but all the information that they gave us was that she along with Sonia Bermúdez didn’t make it to the 2017 roster. Since then, she has joined other clubs, such as playing for the PSG, the Utah Royals in the US, etc. She is currently playing for the AC Milan soccer team.
Marta plays for the Brazilian National team and Orlando Pride. She is now married to Toni Pressley who also plays for the Orlando Pride. Both Christen and Jenni think of Marta as the GOAT to soccer.