U.S. Soccer Podcast: USWNT Legends Christen Press & Meghan Klingenberg on the Eras That Shaped Them
In this wide-ranging interview, Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg divide their shared history into three eras that span early disappointments, the high of winning a World Cup, and their present-day reality of a never-ending offseason
By: U.S. Soccer Podcast: USWNT Legends Christen Press & Meghan Klingenberg on the Eras That Shaped Them
Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg go way back. Before World Cup glory in 2015, the pair were Olympic alternates and young pros trying to carve out a career in the Swedish women’s league. In this wide-ranging interview, the two USWNT icons divide their shared history into three eras that span Christen and Kling’s early disappointments, the high of winning a World Cup, and their present-day reality: a never-ending offseason. It’s an interview that’s revealing, surprising and hilarious.
01:10 – The Alternates Era: Kling and Christen reflect on their experience as Olympic alternates in 2012, playing table tennis with Brazil soccer stars Neymar and Marcello, and eating copious amounts of hummus during their spell in Sweden.
20:30 – On Top of the World Era: Kling and Christen revisit how winning the 2015 World Cup changed their lives. For Christen, it meant being able to party like a rock star with Neymar, but also the reality that she was now in the public eye.
32:10 – The Permanent Offseason Era: Kling and Christen are both retired now, and the pair discuss how they are now able to enjoy weekends, pursue new interests, and start new careers. Christen also talks about overcoming adversity after her agonizing penalty miss at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and what she’s most proud of in her career.
45:33 – Kling and co-host David Gass discuss the interview and share more lore.
55:41 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts
The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
