With the 2015 World Cup in women’s soccer underway, we take a look at the six players from California that will suit up for the United States. The team’s first match is Monday against Australia.
Shannon Boxx (South, Torrance)
Named as a Parade All-American during her time with the Spartans she was a four-sport athlete who also played volleyball, softball and basketball. This three-time gold medalist is the younger sister of Gillian Boxx who won a gold medal playing softball with the United States at the 1996 Olympics. Shannon also was a good friend of a former colleague friend of ours, the late Kim Blankinship.
Whitney Engen (Palos Verdes Peninsula, Rolling Hills Estates)
She played two seasons with the Panthers and earned team MVP honors as a sophomore before an injury and then her focus on club soccer. Back during her youth days, she played on a team with fellow national team member Christine Press which was coached by her dad Cody Press.
Alex Morgan (Diamond Bar)
One of the most well known players in all of women’s soccer was a three-time all-league selection with the Brahmas and also was an All-American honoree. She scored the game-winning goal in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympics as the United States would go on and win the gold.
Christine Press (Chadwick, Palos Verdes Peninsula)
A four-year starter and captain her final two years, she helped lead the Dolphins to two CIF Southern Section championships while earning All-American honors. Her junior season saw her score a school-record 38 goals and she finished her high school career with 128 goals. She also ran track and played tennis.
Megan Rapinoe (Foothill, Palo Cedro)
While she never played soccer for the Cougars, she did suit up and play basketball and run track while being on the honor roll every semester of her high school career. During the U.S. team’s 2012 gold medal success at the Olympics, she had the game-winning goal during a game against Columbia and in the semifinals she scored two game-tying goals, including one directly from the corner on a corner kick without anyone touching it.
Amy Rodriguez (Santa Margarita Catholic, Rancho Santa Margarita)
In her senior season, she scored 17 goals in 15 games and was considered by some as the nation’s top recruit after a high school career that saw her flooded with honors, including Gatorade Player of the Year. Now with over 100 appearances for the United States, she was a member of the 2008 and 2012 team that won Olympic gold medals.
