Did you miss the previous Fun Facts? No worries! Here they are: Keepers edition (Naeher, Harris & Franch)Defenders edition, Part 1 (O’Hara, Sa
Did you miss the previous Fun Facts? No worries! Here they are:
- Keepers edition (Naeher, Harris & Franch)
- Defenders edition, Part 1 (O’Hara, Sauerbrunn & Krieger)
- Defenders edition, Part 2 (Dunn, Sonnett, Davidson & Dahlkemper)
- Midfielders edition, Part 1 (Ertz, Horan, & Lavelle)
- Midfielders edition, Part 2 (Brian, Mewis & Long)
- Forwards edition, Part 2 (Heath, Lloyd, McDonald)
- Alex Morgan edition
Megan Rapinoe, Mallory Pugh, & Christen Press
We can finally say the 2019 Women’s World Cup starts THIS WEEK! The USA’s first game isn’t until June 11th, but it’s time to meet the girls up front. Here’s the first set of USA strikers. Enjoy!
Megan Rapinoe
She’s lethal in attacking down the gut of a defense, and even more deadly from the wings. Look to Rapinoe to be a thorn in the side of every team the USA plays during the World Cup. She’s 33 years old and plays her club soccer for Reign FC in Seattle.
Follow Megan: Twitter Instagram
- She has a twin sister, Rachel (and four other siblings). Rachel and Megan played together for Elk Grove United soccer club outside Sacramento, California.
- Neither Rachel nor Megan played high school soccer, concentrating on club soccer instead. Both went on to play at the University of Portland, turning down offers from UCLA, Santa Clara, and University of North Carolina.
- She helped the University of Portland win the 2005 NCAA D1 Championship as a freshman. She scored one goal and had one assist in the 4-1 championship game against UCLA.
- Playing through pain is one of her strengths. She tore her ACL twice in college, but refused to use an NCAA medical hardship waiver.
- Playing all over the world, she has had early pro stints in Australia for Sydney FC and in France for Olympique Lyonnais. She has been with the Reign, however, since 2013.
Mallory Pugh
“Mally,” as her friends and family call her, tried the normal American college kid act. But Pugh is not a normal American kid. After about a semester at UCLA, she knew she wasn’t where she belonged. She plays her club soccer for Washington Spirit, and she just turned 21 in April. THIS article is a great read, if you want to learn even more about her.
Follow Mallory: Twitter Instagram
- She’s young, and she’s a nightmare for opponents. When she was 17 years old, she scored in her US Women’s National Team debut (during a 2016 win over Ireland at a USA friendly in San Diego), and she is the youngest American player to ever score at the Olympics.
- Her parents passed on their endurance. Her dad ran track in college, and her mom is a distance runner as well.
- She played three years of high school soccer for Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
- Real Colorado, her hometown club, played in the ECNL. Her ECNL team was in the league finals in both 2013 and 2014.
- Before the Girls DA began, she would regularly train in the Real Colorado Boys USSDA teams.
Christen Press
SoCal’s own Christen Press brings speed, depth, and joy to the USA attack. She’s 30 years old and plays her club soccer for Utah Royals.
Follow Christen: Twitter Instagram
- She owns the goal-scoring record at Stanford University (a staggering 71-goal career)
- Her dad, Cody, played football for Dartmouth. Her mom, Stacy, was a tennis player.
- She was a 4-year varsity starter in high school for Chadwick School in Palos Verdes.
- Slammers FC in Orange County was her youth soccer club home.
- She was the honorary Falconer for LAFC’s home game on March 23
Pick up your Women’s gear (like that sweet World Cup jersey — LOVE mine!) at Soccerloco. Check out their new WOMEN’S SECTION at Soccerloco.com.
