Paul Christensen

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul Christensen

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|4|15}}

| birth_place = Woodinville, Washington, United States

| height = {{convert|1.85|m|abbr=on}}

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Goalkeeper

| youthyears1 = 2012–2014

| youthclubs1 = Seattle Sounders FC

| collegeyears1 = 2014–2017

| college1 = Portland Pilots

| collegecaps1 = 72

| collegegoals1 = 0

| years1 = 2015–2017

| clubs1 = Seattle Sounders FC U-23

| caps1 = 21

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2018–2019

| clubs2 = Atlanta United 2

| caps2 = 10

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2018

| clubs3 = → Atlanta United FC (loan)

| caps3 = 1

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2020–2022

| clubs4 = Greenville Triumph

| caps4 = 40

| goals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2020

| managerclubs1 = North Greenville Crusaders (goalkeeping)

| manageryears2 = 2021–

| managerclubs2 = Bob Jones Bruins (goalkeeping)

| pcupdate = November 17, 2022

| ntupdate =

}}

Paul Christensen (born April 15, 1996) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Bob Jones University men's soccer team.

Career

=College=

Christensen played four years of college soccer at the University of Portland, where he made 72 appearances for the Pilots and kept 20 shutouts. Paul battled now Rs. senior GK and close friend Kienan Weekes in the goal while at Portland for 4 years. The Wall as some know him, otherwise known as El Jefe, was the turning point behind an impressive turnaround for the program.{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4705|title=Paul Christensen - 2017|publisher=Portland Pilots|accessdate=May 9, 2018}}

While at college, Christensen also played with Premier Development League side Seattle Sounders FC U-23.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslpdl.com/paul-christensen|title=Paul Christensen|website=USL PDL|accessdate=May 9, 2018}}

=Professional career=

On January 21, 2018, Christensen was selected 70th overall in 2018 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United FC.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Derek|date=February 6, 2018|url=http://www.nwnews.com/index.php/sports/15809-paul-christensen-drafted-by-atlanta-united-fc|title=Paul Christensen drafted by Atlanta United FC|work=The Woodinville Weekly|accessdate=May 9, 2018}} He signed with their United Soccer League affiliate side Atlanta United 2 on February 18, 2018.{{cite web |date=February 18, 2018 |title=Atlanta United 2 signs three players |url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/02/18/atlanta-united-2-signs-three-players |publisher=Atlanta United FC |accessdate=May 9, 2018}} He made his professional debut on March 31, 2018, in a 2–2 draw against the Charlotte Independence.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/charlotteindependence-atlantaunited2-971255|title=Charlotte Independence vs Atlanta United 2|website=uslsoccer.com|publisher=United Soccer League|date=March 31, 2018|accessdate=April 7, 2018}}

On May 4, 2018, Christensen signed a short-term deal to be included on the roster for Atlanta United FC's senior team after backup goalkeepers Alec Kann and Mitch Hildebrandt were injured.{{cite web |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Atlanta United Signs Paul Christensen to Short-Term Agreement |url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/05/04/atlanta-united-signs-paul-christensen-short-term-agreement |publisher=Atlanta United FC |accessdate=May 9, 2018}} He made his debut on May 9 against Sporting Kansas City, replacing Brad Guzan after he was sent off with a red card.{{cite news |last=Roberson |first=Doug |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Atlanta United's unbeaten streak ends with loss to KC |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-united-unbeaten-streak-ends-with-loss/hbisNygWpMFvWCivjmxoON/ |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |accessdate=May 9, 2018}}

Christensen announced his retirement on November 17, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Humphrey |first1=K. |title=Triumph's Paul Christensen Announces Retirement |url=https://www.greenvilletriumph.com/news/2022/11/17/triumphs-paul-christensen-announces-retirement/ |website=GreenvilleTriumph.com |access-date=17 November 2022}}