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Sports of The Times: Far From the U.S., Christian Press Found a Love for the Game and a Spot on the National Team

WINNIPEG, Manitoba

When Christen Press scored a goal on Monday in the United States’ game against Australia, there was a lightness to her celebration.

In her first World Cup match, after her first World Cup goal, she spread her arms like the wings of a plane and jogged forward with a vast, sweet smile. Nothing about it was fiery or in-your-face, which it very well could have been, considering she had just put her team ahead in a game that the Americans, at times, seemed in danger of losing.

Instead, it was simple and beautiful, as if she were running toward an old friend at the airport.