Christen Press with her dog, Morena.
Missing your team’s final penalty kick in a shootout, with advancement to the Olympic semifinals on the line, can be a crushing experience.
Christen Press found herself in that situation on Friday, when she hit her spot-kick over the bar on the United States’ fifth kick of the shootout. A couple minutes later, after overt gamesmanship from U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo, Lisa Dahlkvist sealed the shocking victory for Sweden.
[LAULETTA: Five reasons the Olympics are over for USWNT]
Press wasn’t the only player who failed to convert in the shootout — Alex Morgan had her shot, the first of the shootout, saved by Hedvig Lindahl — but her inability to keep the shot on frame made for a particularly cruel spotlight. So U.S. fans on social media decided to do something about it.
The day prior to the U.S.-Sweden quarterfinal, PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Pets — unveiled an ad campaign headlined by Press and her family’s rescued dog, Morena, titled “Adopt, Don’t Shop!” It included the following video:
[MORE: Solo calls Sweden ‘cowards’ for tactics; Pia doesn’t care]
So in an effort to console Press, fans started the hashtag #DogsForChristen, sending photos of their pups to Press. It purportedly started with this fan, and the replies snowballed in from fans, teammates and the women’s soccer community:
Bc @ChristenPress deserves smiles and joy and she loves dogs: this is my parents' dog Mudd #DogsForChristen pic.twitter.com/JGTNkcQiBQ
— mmw (@mmwilsner) August 12, 2016
.@mmwilsner @ChristenPress Pressy this is Chichi she isn't always nice but she loves you #DogsForChristen ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/6MCNpX8YoH
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) August 13, 2016
USWNT has best fans! This made me tear up. Team effort no ones fault but this 4 you @ChristenPress #DogsForChristen pic.twitter.com/XWO0GGexv5
— Meghan Klingenberg? (@meghankling) August 13, 2016
@ChristenPress our boys here for you #DogsForChristen pic.twitter.com/zp2CXpfGAa
— Jim Gabarra (@JimGabarra1) August 13, 2016
When Twitter is used for good not evil ??. #DogsForChristen @ChristenPress pic.twitter.com/9HJUrC1sfL
— arnim (@arnimiii) August 13, 2016
#DogsForChristen (and Carli, it seems) pic.twitter.com/0cgqaIbhAv
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) August 13, 2016
Press showed her gratitude on Sunday morning in her first tweet since the loss:
Thank you all. ❤️??? ?#BestFansInTheWorld #DogsForChristen
— Christen Press (@ChristenPress) August 14, 2016
