sport.wikisort.org - Athlete

Cristen Joan "Christen" Westphal (born September 2, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for San Diego Wave FC. She previously played for the Portland Thorns, 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
Full name	Cristen Joan Westphal[1]
Date of birth	(1993-09-02) September 2, 1993 (age 28)
Place of birth	Brecksville, Ohio, United States
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current team	San Diego Wave
Number	20
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)
2020–2021	Portland Thorns	25	(0)
2022–	San Diego Wave	0	(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.[2] The same year she was named Southeastern Conference Soccer Defender of the Year.[3] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]

Club career

Boston Breakers, 2016–17

Westphal was drafted by Boston Breakers in the first round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[6][7][8] She signed with Boston in March 2016 and made her debut on April 16, 2016 against Washington Spirit.[9][10] During her rookie season, she was a starting defender in 7 of the 13 games in which she played and scored one goal.[11] The goal against the Western New York Flash was nominated for Goal of the Week.[12] 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.[11] The Breakers finished the 2017 season in ninth place with a 4–13–7 record.[11]

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.[13]

Portland Thorns, 2020–21

Westphal was out of contract after the 2019 season, and her NWSL rights were traded to Portland Thorns.[14]

San Diego Wave, 2022–

Immediately after the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft, it was announced that San Diego Wave acquired the rights to Westphal and Amirah Ali from Portland via trade. San Diego had passed on several picks, instead negotiating the trade.[15]

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.[16]

Honors and awards

Club

Portland Thorns FC

• NWSL Community Shield : 2020
• NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
• International Champions Cup: 2021[17]
• NWSL Shield: 2021

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christen Westphal.

• Christen Westphal at National Women's Soccer League
• Boston Breakers player profile
• Florida Gators bio
• Christen Westphal at Soccerway

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