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2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship

Frisco & Houston, Texas
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US Soccer

First Cap, First Goal: Christen Press

On Feb. 9, 2013, the U.S. Women’s National Team kicked off the new year with a 4-1 victory against Scotland in Jacksonville, Florida. Christen Press, then 24-years-old, was responsible for two goals that day, scoring in the 13th minute and adding another in the 32nd to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The early goal was Press’ first for the USA, coming in a match that was also her first cap.


Becky Sauerbrunn hugs Christen Press in the aftermath of Press scoring on her WNT debut. 

Earning that first cap is special for any player, but a debut and a goal in the same game? That’s a rare feat. In the 30+ year history of the U.S. WNT  21 players have scored in their first caps.

NOTHING TO LOSE

Press’ path to that first game three years ago was an interesting one.  In early 2012, she made the decision to move to Sweden after U.S.-based Women’s Professional Soccer folded. Press thought leaving the country might negatively impact her hopeful National Team career, but little did she know, it was only just beginning.

“I think just because I always thought that the National Teams would be watching the American league, I thought that going abroad was kind of like saying goodbye to my dream of playing for the National Team,” recalled Press. “I left around this time, in February, and I thought I would not get a call, I sort of thought that I would fall out of U.S. Soccer’s radar.”

As it turns out, head coach Pia Sundhage kept tabs on players in Europe, especially in her native land of Sweden. Press got off to a hot start with her new club, and it wasn’t long before she was on her way back home.

Press returned to the U.S. and joined the WNT in Florida in April during the final stretch of what had been an intense fitness camp. She kept to herself and tried to quickly learn as much as possible despite only being there for five days.

“I had nothing to lose,” she said. “It was my first camp, it was warm and I was so happy. I don’t think I spoke to anybody. I was not nervous, I was just happy to be in Florida and my dream was coming true. I’m always quiet when I don’t know my surroundings, so I just kept to myself trying to learn the rules, how to behave; it was all so quick.”

That short stint turned out to be the only one for Press before she was named an Olympic alternate in 2012. The following February, Tom Sermanni took over as WNT head coach, and it was then Press learned she would start against Scotland. Her chance had arrived.

“I went on the field, the crowd was so much bigger than I’d ever played in front of, and for me it was so much bigger than life,” said Press. “But I kept telling myself, ‘I’m not nervous, I’m confident, I’m a good player and I believe in myself.’”

Years and multiple goals later, plus one Women’s World Cup title to her name, the dream is alive and well for Press.

Christen Press
Press celebrates scoring her first World Cup goal against Australia in the USA's opening match of the 2015 Women's World Cup

 Read more
WNT Jun 11, 2017

WATCH: U.S. WNT 2016 Year In Review

As we prepare to bid farewell to 2016, we take a look back at the journey of the U.S. Women's National Team over the past year. From joy as the winners of the inaugural SheBelieves Cup to heartbreak in Brazil. From first caps and first goals, to one final game for the legendary HAO. With the long-term sights now set on qualifying for the 2019 Women's World Cup, the U.S. WNT is set to turn the page in 2017 and embark on the long road to France. Read more
WNT Dec 31, 2016

Breaking Down the WNT’s Top 10 Goals of 2016

In 2016, the U.S. Women’s National Team scored 92 goals so choosing a Top 10 was not an easy task. We selected our "Top 10 Goals of 2016" based on the quality of the goal, the skill of the finish, the importance of the goal and a dash of sentimental value (#ThanksHAO). Tell us, which is your favorite WNT goal of 2016? Did your favorite make the list? 1. Alex Morgan vs. Germany (SheBeliev Read more
WNT Dec 2, 2016
US Soccer

2016 Rewind: WNT Goal Scorers

In 2016, the U.S. Women’s National Team played 25 matches and scored 92 goals. More than 65% were scored by four players: Crystal Dunn, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Christen Press. Here is a breakdown of the performance of each player in 2016: Crystal Dunn – A Breakthrough Year Coming of an NWSL MVP season in 2015 with the Washington Sprit, Crystal Dunn had by far her best year as a U Read more
WNT Nov 22, 2016
US Soccer

Three Players, 22 Goals: Crystal Dunn

It’s been a terrific start for the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2016. With preparations for the Olympic Games in Brazil in full swing, the USA continues to find success, compiling a 9-0-0 record and outscoring opponents 32-1 as U.S. head coach Jill Ellis and her staff continue evaluations to eventually choose the 18-player Olympic roster. Three players have played major roles in the s Read more
WNT Mar 30, 2016

Behind the Crest: Ep. 3 - #USWNT Road to Rio

In this third and final episode of Behind the Crest from the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, we follow the U.S. team through the semifinal win that earned the berth to Rio 2016 and the title game against Canada. Read more
WNT Feb 27, 2016

WNT: Meghan's Klingenbloopers

During the Olympic qualifying tournament, U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg received an award in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa. and as she couldn’t attend the ceremony, she had to tape her acceptance speech. As this video clearly illustrates, she certainly did not get it in one take, but we swear she eventually nailed it. Read more
WNT Feb 27, 2016
US Soccer

Award Winners Lead WNT to Olympic Qualifying Sweep

The U.S. Women’s National Team heads into the SheBelieves Cup – which will bring four of the world’s top five ranked women’s national teams to the USA – riding the momentum gained from a dominating run at 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. The USA is fresh off a 2-0 victory against Canada in the Championship Final that capped off a perfect 5- Read more
WNT Feb 26, 2016
US Soccer

Gallery: WNT Claims Fourth Straight CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship Title

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Canada 2-0 on second half goals from Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath to win the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday evening. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn also celebrated her 100th appearance for the WNT. The USA earned its berth to the 2016 Olympics by defeating Trinidad & Tobago in the semifinal Read more
WNT Feb 22, 2016
US Soccer

WNT Defeats Canada 2-0 to Win 2016 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship

HOUSTON, Texas (Feb. 21, 2016) – The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Canada 2-0 on second half goals from Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath to win the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium. The win marks the fourth consecutive title in this tournament for the USA which has the longest unbeaten streak in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying history a Read more
WNT Feb 21, 2016

Becky Sauerbrunn: 100 Caps with the U.S. Women's National Team

WNT Feb 21, 2016

Lineup Notes: WNT Takes on Canada for Olympic Qualifying Title

2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship USA vs. Canada (FINAL) || Feb. 21, 2016 BBVA Compass Stadium - Houston, Texas Live TV Broadcast: NBC Universo (replay at 10 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network) Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra - http://liveextra.nbcsports.com Tonight’s U.S. WNT Starting XI vs. Canada: 1-Hope Solo; 5-Kelley O'Hara, 8-Julie Johnston, 4-Becky Sauerbrun Read more
WNT Feb 21, 2016

Match Preview: WNT Faces Canada in 2016 Olympic Qualifying Championship Game

After securing its berth to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil with a 5-0 victory against Trinidad & Tobago in the semifinal, the USA will now face Canada for the tournament title on Sunday, Feb. 21 at BBVA Compass Stadium (4 p.m. CT on NBC Universo and NBC Sports Live Extra with a replay at 10 p.m. CT on NBCSN). Canada defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal to earn its spot in the 2016 Olymp Read more
WNT Feb 21, 2016

Highlights: WNT Downs Trinidad & Tobago 5-0 to Qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics

WNT Feb 20, 2016

Gallery: The WNT Black & White Collection

The U.S. Women’s National Team qualified to its sixth straight Olympic Games after a 5-0 semifinal victory against Trinidad & Tobago on Feb. 19 in Houston, Texas. The Road to Rio however, began days earlier and a few hours north in Frisco. Take a look at our black & white photo gallery to see some of the best moments on this #RoadToRio so far. Read more
WNT Feb 20, 2016

Gallery: WNT is Going to Rio!

The U.S. Women’s National Team earned a berth to its sixth consecutive Olympic Games with a 5-0 win against Trinidad & Tobago on Friday night in the semifinal match of the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Canada earned CONCACAF’s other spot with a 3-1 victory against Costa Rica in the other semifinal match and Read more
WNT Feb 20, 2016

Schedule

Results

Date Matchup Result Venue Attendance Goal Scorers
2-0 W BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas 10,119 Horan, Heath
5-0 W BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas 5,561 Heath, Morgan(3), Lloyd
10-0 W Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas 7,658 Dunn(5), Lloyd, O'Hara, Rivera(og), Press, S. Mewis
1-0 W Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas 15,032 Lloyd
5-0 W Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas 8,143 Morgan(2), Lloyd, Dunn, Press

2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship

PLAYER POS. HT. BIRTHDATE HOMETOWN CLUB/COLLEGE CAPS/G
M 5-7 St. Simons Island, Ga. Houston Dash 63/6
F 5-1 Rockville Centre, N.Y. Washington Spirit 45/18
GK 5-9 Satellite Beach, Fla. Orlando Pride 11/0
M 5-6 Basking Ridge, N.J. Portland Thorns FC 128/18
D 5-4 Denver, Colo. Western New York Flash 8/0
M 5-9 Golden, Colo. Portland Thorns FC 30/3
D 5-7 Mesa, Ariz. Chicago Red Stars 45/8
D 5-2 Gibsonia, Pa. Portland Thorns FC 70/3
D 5-6 Dumfries, Va. Orlando Pride 96/1
M 5-8 Delran, N.J. Houston Dash 232/96
F 5-6 Winchester, Mass. Boston Breakers 6/1
M 6-0 Hanson, Mass. Western New York Flash 18/4
F 5-7 Diamond Bar, Calif. Orlando Pride 120/73
GK 5-9 Bridgeport, Conn. Chicago Red Stars 10/0
D 5-5 Fayetteville, Ga. Sky Blue FC 91/2
F 5-7 Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Chicago Red Stars 80/41
F 5-5 Highlands Ranch, Colo. Real Colorado 17/4
D 5-7 St. Louis, Mo. FC Kansas City 119/0
GK 5-9 Richland, Wash. Seattle Reign FC 202/0
D 5-7 Marietta, Ga. Portland Thorns FC 12/0

2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship

Morgan Brian

Position:
Midfielder

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Midfielder

Hometown:
St. Simons Island, Ga.

Club:
Houston Dash

Crystal Dunn

Position:
Forward

Height:
5-1

Birthdate:

Position:
Forward

Hometown:
Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Club:
Washington Spirit

Ashlyn Harris

Position:
Goalkeeper

Height:
5-9

Birthdate:

Position:
Goalkeeper

Hometown:
Satellite Beach, Fla.

Club:
Orlando Pride

Tobin Heath

Position:
Midfielder

Height:
5-6

Birthdate:

Position:
Midfielder

Hometown:
Basking Ridge, N.J.

Club:
Portland Thorns FC

Jaelene Hinkle

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-4

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Denver, Colo.

Club:
Western New York Flash

Lindsey Horan

Position:
Midfielder

Height:
5-9

Birthdate:

Position:
Midfielder

Hometown:
Golden, Colo.

Club:
Portland Thorns FC

Julie Johnston

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Mesa, Ariz.

Club:
Chicago Red Stars

Meghan Klingenberg

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-2

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Gibsonia, Pa.

Club:
Portland Thorns FC

Ali Krieger

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-6

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Dumfries, Va.

Club:
Orlando Pride

Carli Lloyd

Position:
Midfielder

Height:
5-8

Birthdate:

Position:
Midfielder

Hometown:
Delran, N.J.

Club:
Houston Dash

Stephanie McCaffrey

Position:
Forward

Height:
5-6

Birthdate:

Position:
Forward

Hometown:
Winchester, Mass.

Club:
Boston Breakers

Samantha Mewis

Position:
Midfielder

Height:
6-0

Birthdate:

Position:
Midfielder

Hometown:
Hanson, Mass.

Club:
Western New York Flash

Alex Morgan

Position:
Forward

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Forward

Hometown:
Diamond Bar, Calif.

Club:
Orlando Pride

Alyssa Naeher

Position:
Goalkeeper

Height:
5-9

Birthdate:

Position:
Goalkeeper

Hometown:
Bridgeport, Conn.

Club:
Chicago Red Stars

Kelley O'Hara

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-5

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Fayetteville, Ga.

Club:
Sky Blue FC

Christen Press

Position:
Forward

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Forward

Hometown:
Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

Club:
Chicago Red Stars

Mallory Pugh

Position:
Forward

Height:
5-5

Birthdate:

Position:
Forward

Hometown:
Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Club:
Real Colorado

Becky Sauerbrunn

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
St. Louis, Mo.

Club:
FC Kansas City

Hope Solo

Position:
Goalkeeper

Height:
5-9

Birthdate:

Position:
Goalkeeper

Hometown:
Richland, Wash.

Club:
Seattle Reign FC

Emily Sonnett

Position:
Defender

Height:
5-7

Birthdate:

Position:
Defender

Hometown:
Marietta, Ga.

Club:
Portland Thorns FC

Group A

Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts.
 United States 3
 3
 0 0 16 0 16 9
 Costa Rica 3 2  1 0 11 6 5 6
 Mexico
 3 1 2
 0
 7 3
 4 3
Puerto Rico
 3
 0
 3 0
 0
 25 -25 0

Group B

Team GP W L T GF GA GD Pts.
Canada
 3 3
 0
 0
 21
 0
 +21
 9
Trinidad & Tobago
 3 2
 1
 0
 7
 8
 -1
 6
Guyana  3 1 2 0 3 11 -8 3
 Guatemala 3 0 3 0 2 14 -12 0

Group A

Date Match Time (ET)/Result Venue
Feb. 10, 2016 Puerto Rico vs. Mexico
 0-6 Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Feb. 10, 2016
 		United States vs. Costa Rica
 		5-0 Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Feb. 13, 2016
 Costa Rica vs. Puerto Rico
 9-0
 Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Feb. 13, 2016
 		United States vs. Mexico
 		1-0
 		Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Feb. 15, 2016
 Mexico vs. Costa Rica
 1-2
 Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Feb. 15, 2016
 		Puerto Rico vs. United States
 		0-10
 		Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas

Group B

Date Match Time (ET)/Result
 Venue
Feb. 11, 2016
 Guatemala vs. Trinidad & Tobago
 1-2
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 11, 2016
 Canada vs. Guyana
 5-0
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 14, 2016
 Guyana vs. Guatemala
 2-1
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 14, 2016
 Trinidad & Tobago vs. Canada
 0-6
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 16, 2016
 Trinidad & Tobago vs. Guyana
 5-1 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 16, 2016
 Canada vs. Guatemala
 10-0
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas

Semifinals 

Date Match Time (ET)/Result
 Venue
Feb. 19, 2016
 Canada vs. Costa Rica 3-1 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas
Feb. 19, 2016
 United States vs. Trinidad & Tobago 5-0
 BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas

Final

Date Match Time (ET)/Result
 Venue
Feb. 21, 2016
 United States vs. Canada 2-0 W BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas

U.S. Women's National Team - 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship Stats

Record: 5-0-0 

Player

Pos

GP

GS

Min.

G

A

Pts

Y/R
Brian, Morgan
 M 5 4 377 0 3 3 0/0
Dunn, Crystal
 F 5 3 236 6 1 13 0/0
Harris, Ashlyn
 GK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0/0
Heath, Tobin
 M 4 4 360 2 1 5 1/0
Hinkle, Jaelene
 D 3 1 120 0 0 0 0/0
Horan, Lindsey
 M 4 4 320 1 1 3 0/0
Johnston, Julie
 D 4 4 343 0 0 0 1/0
Klingenberg, Meghan
 D 5 4 387 0 1 1 0/0
Krieger, Ali
 D 3 3 231 0 0 0 0/0
Lloyd, Carli
 M 5 5 380 4 2 10 0/0
McCaffrey, Staphanie
 F 1 1 90 0 1 1 0/0
Mewis, Samantha
 M 2 1 121 1 0 2 0/0
Morgan, Alex
 F 5 4 379 5 1 11 0/0
Naeher, Alyssa
 GK 1 1 90 0 0 0 0/0
O'Hara, Kelley
 D 3 3 270 1 0 2 0/0
Press, Christen
 F 5 1 186 2 1 5 0/0
Pugh, Mallory
 F 5 3 252 0 3 3 1/0
Sauerbrunn, Becky
 D 4 4 360 0 1 1 0/0
Solo, Hope
 GK 4 4 360 0 0 0 0/0
Sonnett, Emily
 D 2 1 91 0 0 0 0/0
Own Goal



1


Totals
5 5 450 23 16 62 3/0
Opponent Totals
5 5 450 0 0 0 5/0

2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship Goalkeeping Statistics

Player Name

GP

GS

Min.

GF

GA

SO

GAA

W-L-T
Harris, Ashlyn
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0-0-0
Naeher, Alyssa
 1 1
 90
 10
 0
 1
 0.00
 1-0-0
Solo, Hope
 4 4 360 13 0 4 0.00 4-0-0
Totals 5 5 450 23 0 5 0.00 5-0-0
Opponent Totals 5 5 450 0 23 0 4.60 0-5-0

Updated through Feb. 22, 2016

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