Christen Westphal

Christen Westphal (born September 2, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Portland Thorns FC. She had played for Reign FC and Boston Breakers, as well as the United States women's national under-23 soccer team. She played collegiate soccer for the Florida Gators.

Christen Westphal
Westphal playing for Boston Breakers in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1993-09-02) September 2, 1993
Place of birth Brecksville, Ohio, United States
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Portland Thorns
Number 18
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Florida Gators 96 (4)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Boston Breakers 26 (1)
2018–2019 Reign FC 16 (0)
2020– Portland Thorns 6 (0)
National team
2014–2016 United States U23
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 15, 2020

Collegiate career

Westphal attended the University of Florida where she played as a center back for the Florida Gators women's soccer team from 2012–15. Her senior year, TopDrawerSoccer named her one of the top 10 women's soccer defenders in the NCAA's Division 1.[1] The same year she was named Southeastern Conference Soccer Defender of the Year.[2] Westphal was named to the All-SEC team every year of her collegiate career, and was named to the SEC first team three consecutive years.[2] Her senior year, she led the Gators (and tied for first in the SEC) in assists with 10 and was named as a Hermann Trophy semifinalist.[3][4]

Club career

Boston Breakers, 2016–17

Westphal was drafted by Boston Breakers in the first round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[5][6][7] She signed with Boston in March 2016 and made her debut on April 16, 2016 against Washington Spirit.[8][9] During her rookie season, she was a starting defender in 7 of the 13 games in which she played and scored one goal.[10] The goal against the Western New York Flash was nominated for Goal of the Week.[11] During the 2017 season, Westphal started in all 13 games that she played and recorded an assist. A right foot injury endured in a match against Seattle on July 15 ended her season prematurely.[10] The Breakers finished the 2017 season in ninth place with a 4–13–7 record.[10]

Reign FC, 2018–19

Westphal was selected by the Reign FC in the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft after Boston folded unexpectedly ahead of the 2018 season.[12]

Westphal was out of contract after the 2019 season, and her NWSL rights were traded to Portland Thorns FC.[13]

International career

Westphal has represented the United States on the under-23 national team She competed at the 2015 Four Nations Tournament in Norway and helped the U.S. win the tournament.[14]

References
  1. "Christen Westphal, Florida | College Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  2. "Savannah Jordan & Christen Westphal SEC Soccer Players of the Year". Florida Gators. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  3. "Westphal Does It All". Florida Gators. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  4. "Three Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists". Big12Sports.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  5. Duke, J. J. "Christen Westphal: A Gator Heads North » Our Game Magazine". Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  6. "UF soccer player lands first round draft pick with Boston Breakers – WCJB TV-20". Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  7. "Emily Sonnett is first overall pick; View full outcome of the 2016 NWSL College Draft". Women's Soccer United.
  8. "Christen Westphal Signs with Boston Breakers". Florida Gators.
  9. "Breakers sign defender Christen Westphal – Boston Breakers". Archived from the original on 2016-05-07. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  10. VAVEL.com (2017-11-14). "Boston Breakers re-sign defender Christen Westphal for the 2018 NWSL season". VAVEL. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  11. National Women's Soccer League (2016-06-29), Goal of the Week Nominee: Christen Westphal - Week 10, retrieved 2019-04-23
  12. Ltd, Simplestream. "National Women's Soccer League". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  13. "Thorns FC acquire rights to defender Christen Westphal in 2020 NWSL Draft day trade with Reign FC". Portland Timbers. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  14. "2015 Four Nations Tournament". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
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