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How Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press went from a goal-scoring specialist to an all-around player who gives defenses fits

Sandy • Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press waited patiently for Washington Spirit fullback Paige Nielsen to make the pass. Once the ball left Nielsen’s feet, Press immediately stuck her left leg out to intercept it, starting a sequence that saw her dribble around and into the 18-yard box for nearly 10 seconds.

In the moment, it appeared Press was looking for an opening to take one her patented strikes toward the goal. But at the last second, she found teammate Lo’eau LaBonta, who had plenty of time to choose where she wanted to place her eventual goal.