Christen_Westphal

Christen Westphal

Christen Westphal

American soccer player (born 1993)

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 national under-23 team. She played collegiate soccer for the Florida Gators.

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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]

Portland Thorns, 2020–21

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

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.[14]

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.[15]

Honors

Portland Thorns

San Diego Wave

References

  1. [1]
    "Christen Westphal, Florida | College Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  2. [2]
    "Savannah Jordan & Christen Westphal SEC Soccer Players of the Year". Florida Gators. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  3. [3]
    "Westphal Does It All". Florida Gators. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  4. [4]
    "Three Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists". Big12Sports.com. December 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  5. [5]
    Duke, J. J. (February 17, 2016). "Christen Westphal: A Gator Heads North". Our Game Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  6. [6]
    "UF soccer player lands first round draft pick with Boston Breakers – WCJB TV-20". Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  7. [7]
    "Emily Sonnett is first overall pick; View full outcome of the 2016 NWSL College Draft". Women's Soccer United. January 15, 2016.
  8. [8]
    "Christen Westphal Signs with Boston Breakers". Florida Gators.
  9. [9]
    "Breakers sign defender Christen Westphal – Boston Breakers". Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  10. [10]
    VAVEL.com (November 14, 2017). "Boston Breakers re-sign defender Christen Westphal for the 2018 NWSL season". VAVEL. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  11. [11]
    National Women's Soccer League (June 29, 2016), Goal of the Week Nominee: Christen Westphal - Week 10, retrieved April 23, 2019
  12. [12]
    Ltd, Simplestream. "National Women's Soccer League". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Thorns FC acquire rights to defender Christen Westphal in 2020 NWSL Draft day trade with Reign FC". Portland Timbers. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  14. [14]
    "San Diego Wave FC acquire rights to Amirah Ali and Christen Westphal". LAG Confidential. December 16, 2021.
  15. [15]
    "2015 Four Nations Tournament". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  16. [16]
    Snipes, Tyler (August 22, 2021). "The Portland Thorns are WICC Champions!". International Champions Cup.
  17. [17]
    "San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield". CONCACAF. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  18. [18]
    "San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup". March 16, 2024.
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