Christen Westphal
{{short description|American soccer player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Christen Westphal
| image = NC Courage vs SD Wave (Oct 2024) 006.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Westphal with the San Diego Wave in 2024
| fullname = Christen Joan Westphal{{cite web |url=https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/cdmfx0gz/2024-group-stage-w-champions-cup-club-rosters-final.pdf |title=2024/25 Concacaf W Champions Cup Club Roster |publisher=CONCACAF |date=August 16, 2024 |accessdate=August 18, 2024 |page=7}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|9|2}}
| birth_place = Brecksville, Ohio, United States
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}
| position = Right back
| currentclub = Houston Dash
| clubnumber = 20
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| collegeyears1 = 2012–2015
| college1 = Florida Gators
| collegecaps1 = 96
| collegegoals1 = 4
| years1 = 2016–2017
| clubs1 = Boston Breakers
| caps1 = 26
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = Reign FC
| caps2 = 16
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2020–2021
| clubs3 = Portland Thorns
| caps3 = 15
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2022–2024
| clubs4 = San Diego Wave
| caps4 = 60
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2016
| nationalteam1 = United States U23
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = 18:46, April 14, 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
| years5 = 2025–
| clubs5 = Houston Dash
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
}}
Christen Joan Westphal (born September 2, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back for the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for San Diego Wave FC, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, the Boston Breakers, as well as the United States national under-23 team. She played college soccer for the Florida Gators.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/top-10-defenders-in-di-womens-soccer_aid36490/gallery_id102/christen-westphal-florida_9|title=Christen Westphal, Florida {{!}} College Soccer|website=TopDrawerSoccer.com|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019}} The same year she was named Southeastern Conference Soccer Defender of the Year.{{Cite web|url=http://floridagators.com/news/2015/11/1/31588.aspx|title=Savannah Jordan & Christen Westphal SEC Soccer Players of the Year|website=Florida Gators|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019}} 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. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://floridagators.com/news/2015/11/20/31750.aspx|title=Westphal Does It All|website=Florida Gators|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210549694&DB_OEM_ID=10410|title=Three Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists|website=Big12Sports.com|date=December 2015 |access-date=April 23, 2019}}
Club career
=Boston Breakers, 2016–17=
Westphal was drafted by Boston Breakers in the first round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourgamemag.com/2016/02/17/christen-westphal-a-gator-heads-north/|title=Christen Westphal: A Gator Heads North|work=Our Game Magazine|last=Duke|first=J. J.|date=February 17, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=April 23, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wcjb.com/sports-local-news/2016/01/uf-soccer-player-lands-first-round-draft-pick-boston-breakers|title=UF soccer player lands first round draft pick with Boston Breakers – WCJB TV-20|access-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513115122/http://www.wcjb.com/sports-local-news/2016/01/uf-soccer-player-lands-first-round-draft-pick-boston-breakers|archive-date=May 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.womenssoccerunited.com/2016-nwsl-draft-result/|title=Emily Sonnett is first overall pick; View full outcome of the 2016 NWSL College Draft|work=Women's Soccer United|date=January 15, 2016 }} She signed with Boston in March 2016 and made her debut on April 16, 2016, against Washington Spirit.{{cite web|url=http://floridagators.com/news/2016/3/29/soccer-christen-westphal-signs-with-boston-breakers.aspx|title=Christen Westphal Signs with Boston Breakers|work=Florida Gators}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/NEWS/911049.html|title=Breakers sign defender Christen Westphal – Boston Breakers|access-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507224559/http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/NEWS/911049.html|archive-date=May 7, 2016|url-status = dead}} During her rookie season, she was a starting defender in 7 of the 13 games in which she played and scored one goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2017/11/15/nwsl/848146-boston-breakers-re-sign-defender-christen-westphal-for-the-2018-nwsl-season.html|title=Boston Breakers re-sign defender Christen Westphal for the 2018 NWSL season|last=VAVEL.com|date=November 14, 2017|website=VAVEL|language=en-us|access-date=April 22, 2019}} The goal against the Western New York Flash was nominated for Goal of the Week.{{Citation|last=National Women's Soccer League|title=Goal of the Week Nominee: Christen Westphal - Week 10|date=June 29, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zmGq56cqfA|access-date=April 23, 2019}} 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. The Breakers finished the 2017 season in ninth place with a {{win-loss record|w=4|l=13|d=7}} record.
=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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/#spirit-select-rose-lavelle-with-the-first-pick-in-the-dispersal-draft-full-dispersal-draft-results|title=National Women's Soccer League|last=Ltd|first=Simplestream|website=www.nwslsoccer.com|language=en|access-date=February 2, 2018}}
=Portland Thorns, 2020–21=
Westphal was out of contract after the 2019 season, and her NWSL rights were traded to Portland Thorns.{{cite news |title=Thorns FC acquire rights to defender Christen Westphal in 2020 NWSL Draft day trade with Reign FC |url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2020/01/17/thorns-fc-acquire-rights-defender-christen-westphal-2020-nwsl-draft-day-trade-reign |accessdate=January 17, 2020 |publisher=Portland Timbers |date=January 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030125533/https://www.timbers.com/post/2020/01/17/thorns-fc-acquire-rights-defender-christen-westphal-2020-nwsl-draft-day-trade-reign |url-status=dead }}
=San Diego Wave, 2022–2024=
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.{{cite news |title=San Diego Wave FC acquire rights to Amirah Ali and Christen Westphal |url=https://www.lagconfidential.com/2021/12/16/22840666/san-diego-wave-fc-acquire-rights-to-amirah-ali-and-christen-westphal |publisher=LAG Confidential |date=December 16, 2021}}
= Houston Dash, 2025– =
On December 10, 2024, the San Diego Wave traded Westphal to the Houston Dash in exchange for a 2025 international roster spot and $14,000 in allocation money plus performance-based incentives.{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Houston Dynamo |title=Houston Dash Acquire Christen Westphal in Trade with San Diego Wave FC {{!}} Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/houstondash/news/houston-dash-acquire-christen-westphal-in-trade-with-san-diego-wave-fc |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Houston Dynamo FC |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/us-under23-womens-national-team/tournaments/2015-u23wnt-four-nations-tournament#tab-1|title=2015 Four Nations Tournament|website=www.ussoccer.com|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019}}
Personal life
Westphal is in a relationship with Madison Pogarch.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsportsxchange.com/post/a-greater-meaning-to-pride-christen-westphal-and-madison-pogarch|title=A Greater Meaning to Pride: Christen Westphal and Madison Pogarch|date=June 30, 2023 }} They announced their engagement in July 2024.{{Cite Instagram |postid=C9S6uyJSzXQ|user=maddiepogarch|title=Upgraded to the lifetime subscription 💍|date=2024-07-12}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|April 12, 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{Efn|Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup}} !colspan="2"|Playoffs{{Efn|Includes NWSL Playoffs}} ! colspan="2" |Continental{{Efn|Includes CONCACAF W Champions Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | ||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Boston Breakers
|2016 | rowspan="2" |NWSL |13 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2017
|13 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |13 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!26 !1 ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— !26 !1 | ||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Reign FC
|2018 | rowspan="2" |NWSL |12 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 0 | |
| 2019
|4 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2" |Total
!16 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0
! colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 16 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3" |Portland Thorns FC
|2020 | rowspan="2" |NWSL | colspan="2" |—The 2020 NWSL regular season and playoffs were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |6 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4{{Efn|Includes NWSL Fall Series}} |0 |10 |0 | ||||||||
| 2021
|15 |0 |4 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |19 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!15 !0 !10 !0 !0 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !4 !0 !29 !0 | ||||||||
| rowspan="4" |San Diego Wave FC
|2022 | rowspan="3" |NWSL |22 |0 |6 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |30 |0 | ||||||||
| 2023
|22 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" | — | 28 | 0 |
| 2024
| 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
|3 |0 | 3{{Efn|Includes NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup}}
|0 | 22 | 0 | |
| colspan="2" |Total
! 59 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0
!3 !0 | 3
!0 | 80 | 0 |
| Houston Dash
|2025 |NWSL |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 | ||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
! 117 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0
!3 !0 | 7
!0 | 152 | 1 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honors
Portland Thorns
- NWSL Community Shield : 2020
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
- International Champions Cup: 2021{{cite web |first=Tyler |last=Snipes |title=The Portland Thorns are WICC Champions! |url=https://www.internationalchampionscup.com/news/wicc-tournament-recap |date=August 22, 2021 |website=International Champions Cup |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005212904/https://www.internationalchampionscup.com/news/wicc-tournament-recap |url-status=dead }}
- NWSL Shield: 2021
San Diego Wave
- NWSL Shield: 2023{{cite web |title=San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/concacafw/news/san-diego-wave-claim-2023-nwsl-shield/#:~:text=regular%20season%20champions.-,In%20just%20their%20second%20season%20as%20an%20NWSL%20team%2C%20the,the%20semifinals%20of%20the%20Playoffs. |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=CONCACAF| date=October 17, 2023 }}
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2024{{cite web |date=March 16, 2024 |title=San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup |url=https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-defeat-1-0-nj-ny-gotham-fc-in-2024-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup/}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{sports links}}
- {{NWSL player|cristen-joan-westphal|Christen Westphal}}
- [https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/christen-westphal/3018 Christen Westphal] at Florida Gators
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140850/http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/player-bios/christen-westphal Christen Westphal] at Boston Breakers (archived)
- [https://sandiegowavefc.com/player/christen-westphal/ Christen Westphal] at San Diego Wave FC
{{Houston Dash squad}}{{Southeastern Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Westphal, Christen}}
Category:People from Brecksville, Ohio
Category:Soccer players from Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Category:American women's soccer players
Category:American LGBTQ soccer players
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:Boston Breakers draft picks
Category:Boston Breakers players
Category:Florida Gators women's soccer players
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:Portland Thorns FC players
Category:San Diego Wave FC players
Category:Seattle Reign FC players
Category:Women's association football defenders
Category:United States women's youth international soccer players