This past week, four players represented Utah Royals FC across three continents on the international stage. Forward Christen Press and defender Becky Sauerbrunn closed the chapter on a storybook year for the U.S. with two wins against Sweden and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, defender Rachel Corsie captained Scotland one step closer to UEFA Women’s Championship qualification and defender Katie Bowen competed in the first-ever China invitational with New Zealand.
Under newly-appointed Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski, Press made history on Thursday when she became just the eleventh player to score 50 goals for the Red, White and Blue. Additionally, she recorded her team-leading 11th assist of the 2019 calendar year on Carli Lloyd’s opening goal of the match in a 3-2 victory against Sweden. Then on Saturday Press added her 51st goal in her career and made her 24th appearance of the year in the 6-0 win over Costa Rica. Press is the only player to play in every single match for the United States Women’s National Team this year. Sauerbrunn also started both matches for the U.S. anchoring the team’s defense at centerback.
Over in Europe, Corsie continued qualification for UEFA 2021 Women’s Championship with Scotland, facing off in the first of three matches over the next two years against Albania. Once again Corsie started the match and served as captain in the 5-0 victory.
Finally, Bowen competed with New Zealand in the first-ever China Invitational that included matches against the hosts and Canada. Bowen started both matches for the Football Ferns in the midfield, totalling 135 minutes across two games.
