Christen Westphal Bio
Christen Joan Westphal (born September 2, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back. She is best known for her time in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where she has represented the Boston Breakers, Seattle Reign FC, Portland Thorns FC, San Diego Wave FC, and the Houston Dash. A reliable defender with a strong left foot, she began her career after a decorated stint with the Florida Gators and was a first-round selection in the 2016 NWSL College Draft.
Early Life and Background
Christen Joan Westphal was born on September 2, 1993, in Brecksville, Ohio, in the United States. She grew up in Ohio, where she developed an early interest in soccer and joined Internationals Soccer Club, a well-regarded youth program in the region. Her time at Internationals helped lay the technical and tactical foundation that would later define her as a defender.
Westphal attended the University of Florida, where she played as a center back for the Florida Gators women’s soccer team from 2012 to 2015. Her senior year, TopDrawerSoccer named her one of the top ten women’s soccer defenders in NCAA Division I. The same season she was named Southeastern Conference Soccer Defender of the Year, recognition that cemented her status as one of the top collegiate defenders in the country.
Path to Soccer
Westphal’s path to professional soccer accelerated during her four years at Florida. She was named to the All-SEC team every year of her collegiate career and earned a place on the SEC first team three consecutive years. Her senior year, she led the Gators, and tied for first in the SEC, with ten assists and was named a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, one of the most prestigious individual honors in college soccer.
Internationally, she represented the United States at the under-23 level and competed at the 2015 Four Nations Tournament in Norway, where she helped the U.S. team win the tournament. Following her senior season at Florida, Westphal declared for the 2016 NWSL College Draft and was selected in the first round by the Boston Breakers, the moment that launched her professional career.
Christen Westphal Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Westphal signed with the Boston Breakers in March 2016 and made her professional debut on April 16, 2016, against the Washington Spirit. During her rookie season, she was a starting defender in seven of the thirteen games she played and scored one goal, a strike against the Western New York Flash that was nominated for NWSL Goal of the Week. The season offered an early look at the composure she would carry throughout her career.
In 2017, Westphal started all thirteen matches in which she appeared and recorded an assist. A right foot injury suffered in a match against Seattle on July 15 cut her season short. The Breakers finished the 2017 campaign in ninth place with a 4–13–7 record, and the club folded unexpectedly ahead of the following season.
Reign FC Era (2018–2019)
Following the Breakers’ dissolution, Westphal was selected by Reign FC in the 2018 NWSL dispersal draft. Her time in Seattle added valuable postseason experience and exposed her to a contending roster with deep playoff ambitions. She remained with the club through the 2019 season, contributing as a steady defensive option.
After the 2019 campaign, Westphal was out of contract, and her NWSL rights were traded to the Portland Thorns. The move positioned her on one of the league’s flagship clubs and set the stage for a stretch of trophy contention.
Portland Thorns Breakthrough (2020–2021)
At the Portland Thorns, Westphal slotted into a roster built to compete for championships. The Thorns won the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020 and the NWSL Championship in 2021, adding a major honor to Westphal’s resume. Her composure on the back line and her ability to step into overlapping positions were quiet but consistent contributions to Portland’s success.
San Diego Wave Era (2022–2024)
Immediately after the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft, San Diego Wave acquired the rights to Westphal and Amirah Ali from Portland via trade. San Diego passed on several draft picks to negotiate the deal, underscoring how highly the club valued her experience. She became part of a competitive squad that reached the NWSL Championship in 2022 and added another major honor to her list of team achievements.
Houston Dash Era (2024–Present)
On December 10, 2024, 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. In her first year with the Dash, Westphal made nine regular-season appearances, seven of them starts. A month into the 2026 season, she departed Houston on a mutual contract termination.
Driving Style and Strengths
Westphal is recognized for her calm distribution out of the back, her positioning as a right-sided defender, and her set-piece delivery. She reads the game quickly, communicates well across the back line, and offers a left-footed option that gives her teams flexibility in build-up play. Her ability to overlap and deliver accurate crosses has been a hallmark throughout her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most notable achievements are the 2021 NWSL Championship with Portland and the 2022 NWSL Championship appearance with San Diego. She also represented the United States at the 2015 Four Nations Tournament, where the U-23 team won the tournament. Being named Southeastern Conference Soccer Defender of the Year and a Hermann Trophy semifinalist during her senior year at Florida stand out as defining collegiate milestones.
Christen Westphal Career Wins
Westphal’s trophy case includes major NWSL honors earned during her time with the Portland Thorns and the San Diego Wave. Her championships reflect her role on consistently competitive rosters and her reliability as a defender.
Portland Thorns Highlights
Westphal was part of the Portland Thorns squad that won the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020 and the NWSL Championship in 2021. Her steady presence on the right side of defense helped anchor a championship-caliber team.
San Diego Wave Highlights
Following her trade to San Diego, Westphal featured for a Wave side that advanced to the 2022 NWSL Championship. The run to the final added a deep postseason appearance to her resume and reinforced her reputation as a dependable big-game player.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international youth level, Westphal helped the United States U-23 team win the 2015 Four Nations Tournament in Norway, a result that signaled her readiness for the professional ranks.
Christen Westphal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Westphal grew up in Brecksville, Ohio, where she came up through Internationals Soccer Club. Her family has not been publicly detailed beyond her upbringing in Ohio and her marriage.
Personal Life
Westphal married fellow NWSL player Madison Pogarch on December 10, 2025. The couple are both established professionals in the league and share a background in elite-level soccer.
2025 Season Performance
Westphal’s 2025 campaign began with a December 2024 trade from the San Diego Wave to the Houston Dash. She joined a Dash side looking to establish defensive stability and quickly became a regular in the starting XI. Across the regular season she made nine appearances with seven starts, contributing her trademark composure and accurate distribution from the right back position.
Her form with Houston reflected the same steady, low-mistake defending that has defined her NWSL career. She provided leadership on a back line that leaned on her experience from championship rosters in Portland and San Diego. While the Dash’s overall results were mixed, Westphal’s individual performance reinforced her reputation as a reliable starter.
Early in the 2026 season, Westphal and the Houston Dash reached a mutual contract termination, closing her time with the club. As the calendar moves forward, she remains an experienced defender whose next move will be closely watched by clubs in need of veteran leadership on the right side.