Wisconsin Soccer Central

Sarah Hagen (Appleton North/UW-Milwaukee) hasn't played professional soccer for more than six months. While that might be a standard period of time off for most American pro women's players, it's not for Hagen.

"It's been a long break," she said. "This is probably the longest break I've had from soccer in a long time – probably since before college.

"It's been nice to be able to have some freedom and be with my family and friends, but I'm ready to get back to business."

Hagen starts her first full season with FC Kansas City on Monday, as the reigning National Women's Soccer League champions kick off preseason training ahead of their April 12 opener against Sky Blue FC. The 25-year-old forward joined the team midway through the season after beginning her pro career with a successful 2½-year stint at Bayern Munich in Germany.

She had four goals and one assist in nine appearances (seven starts) for FC Kansas City, which beat the top-seeded and host Seattle Reign 2-1 in the NWSL final on Aug. 31 to become the league's second champion.

But since then, Hagen hasn't played much – other than a week-long U.S. Under-23 national team camp in January in California (she was one of nine overage players in the camp), and a weekend at Madison United's annual President's Cup indoor tournament last month (she joined other UWM alums to form the CRUSA side that won the Women's Open title).

"I was practicing with (UWM) when they were still in season in the fall. So I've done a few things, but for the most part just kind of relaxed, took care of my body," Hagen said during the President's Cup. "It was a long season coming from Bayern to the NWSL, so it was good to have a few weeks or months off."

The Frauen Bundesliga starts in August, and even though there is a winter break, by the time she got to Kansas City, Hagen already had played a full season. Then there was the adjustment period, not only to a new team but also to a new league.

"It was a little challenging," she said. "It took some time just to get used to a different style of play, the formation. Any time you join a new team, players have different tendencies, different styles of play, so it took a little bit for me to get used to."

Hagen was one of the first names on the lineup sheet at Bayern Munich from the time she signed in January 2012, and scored 43 goals in her 60 appearances.

"I think the U.S. league is more focused on speed and strength and athleticism, whereas the German league was very much more technical," she said when asked about the differences in the style of play between NWSL and the Frauen Bundesliga.

"There wasn't as much space to play in the German league. The U.S. league there was so much more space for our midfield to get the ball, look up and be able to dribble, find space, and I was able to find the right gap. A lot more balls in the air, a lot more crosses in the U.S. league, which is more my style of play."

While the NWSL offered Hagen what she felt was a better fit on the field, it wasn't the only reason she chose to return to the U.S.

"I just think after 2½ years being overseas, it was just time for me to come back home. I wanted to be closer to my family, friends – just the lifestyle," said Hagen, who lived at her parents' home in Appleton during the offseason.

"Over in Germany, our team wasn't all professional. It's a professional team, but the money wasn't there enough, so people had to work or go to school part time, so we wouldn't practice until 6 at night. I was just waiting around the whole day. Here it's a little bit more professional, we get up, practice at 10. I just like the lifestyle more."

Another factor is Hagen's prospects with the U.S. women's national team: She earned her first two caps last March at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

"It's just a little taste of what is yet to come, I think," said Hagen, who replaced Abby Wambach – the all-time leading goal scorer in world soccer history – against Sweden and subbed into a match against Denmark along with Wambach.

"Hopefully, someday I can get called back into more national team camps – that definitely factored into my decision. Just being closer to home, not having to travel 8 hours for a camp if I get called into one."

Of course, it's tough for Hagen to get those calls, considering the strikers ahead of her in the pecking order: coach Jill Ellis' strikers for this year's Algarve Cup, which wraps up Wednesday, are Wambach, Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez – Hagen's teammate at FC Kansas City.

"Yeah, it's tough to break through in the forward line," Hagen said. "I know that they're all great players ... I just need to focus on what I can do to get better.

"I've been called into some of these camps for about a year now, and it's just kind of waiting to get that establishment on that level. ... I've just got to focus on myself and be prepared for this Kansas City season and do everything I can. I think if I have a great season there, it can only help my chances."

On Twitter: @sarahapplehagen