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SANDY — Christen Press' debut with Utah Royals FC didn't take long.
Less than a week after being acquired by the newest club in the National Women's Soccer League, and with just two training sessions with her new team, Press was inserted into the starting lineup for Utah's home match Wednesday night against Seattle Reign FC.
Everything was working out perfectly as she played her first full 90-minute game in several weeks.
Except for the goal-scoring part.
Goalkeepers Abby Smith and Michelle Betos split the shutout as the Royals returned to Rio Tinto Stadium after a four-match road trip to a scoreless draw with Seattle.
"She’s a threat," Utah coach Laura Harvey said of Press. "If you get her in the final third with half a yard, she’s going to shoot. You couldn’t tell that she hasn’t played 90 minutes in a long time, which she hasn't.
"Barring a goal, I thought it was a very good performance by her."
Press registered a team-high seven shots, including four shots on goal. But the final ball never arrived, a result that proved to be among the most disappointing for Harvey and an expansion franchise that has six ties in its first 13 matches.
Christen Press postmatch:
— Salt City FC (@saltcityfc) June 28, 2018
“This is ground-zero, and it’s upward from here.” #UTAvSEA || #URFCpic.twitter.com/MpUDd4Z3Vg
"It was a lot of fun to play in this environment, and I'm really excited about the season and the future seasons of building a relationship going forward," said Press, whose through-ball from Desiree Scott in the final minute of regulation drew both consternation and excitement from the 8,504 fans in attendance. "Of course I'm disappointed in the result. As a forward, a 0-0 scoreline is incredibly disappointing — and I take that personally. It’s my job to finish chances."
Utah (4-3-6, 18 points) out-shot the Reign 18-7, but only put five shots on frame in dropping points at home. Seattle (5-3-5, 21 points) had just three shots on goal — the most dangerous of which came in the final moments.
"Today was ground zero, and up we go," Press said, stressing the attack's budding chemistry. "Physically, I felt good. I don’t know how I am going to feel in the next few days, but I am prepared to play Saturday if that is what is asked of me."
Diana Matheson had the Royals' best chance of the first half — and possibly the match — just three minutes into the match. The Canadian international’s rocket shot from distance caromed off the underside of the crossbar, but without the benefit of video review, her shot struck straight down and fell harmlessly in front of the goal line.
Utah held the majority of the chances through the first two-thirds of the match, but Seattle came on late to make a game of it, despite lofting just three shots on goal.
Megan Rapinoe teed up a shot from the left edge of the 6-yard box with four minutes remaining in regulation, but Smith kept the ball out of the back of the net.
The Utah goalkeeper made three saves to split the shutout, while Seattle counterpart Betos was pressed to make three.
"There are always momentum shifts, so we had to ride the wave," Smith said. "I thought we did a great job creating as many chances as we did, but at the same time, we did well defensively to shut down their momentum.
"Then we turned it around really quick, and their momentum didn’t last as long."
Next up
Utah plays back-to-back home games when it hosts Sky Blue FC at 8 p.m. MDT Saturday. The New Jersey-based club tied Portland 1-1 late Wednesday night.
