After a long and hard journey of recovery, Christen Press is back.
More than two years after suffering a end of season Following an ACL injury, the U.S. women’s national team forward and two-time World Cup champion is back on the field. Press made her season debut with Angel City FC during the club’s Summer Cup match against the San Diego Wave at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California, on Thursday.
Press entered the game in the 88th minute of Angel City FC’s penalty shootout win over the Wave and received a standing ovation from the crowd when he did so.
Press then converted a penalty kick to help Angel City secure the victory.
Press’s longtime girlfriend, star U.S. women’s national team teammate Tobin Heath, was also there supporting her.
Press was officially released from Angel City’s season-ending injury list on Wednesday, instantly generating excitement for the forward’s long-awaited return.
Press’s recovery has been fraught with setbacks: In July 2023, Press revealed that she needed a fourth surgery to repair her ACL. But the 35-year-old forward has overcome the ordeal in time to make a triumphant return to the court, more than 781 days after her injury.
Press returned to training in mid-June, beginning a slow recovery with Angel City. During his first workout in two years, Press told the media that he had done some serious soul searching during his absence.
“When you lose something that you love so much, I think you learn to figure out who you really are, what you really are, and what matters to you. And that allows you to live in a way that is more in balance with your truth or your inner wisdom,” Press said. “By trying to heal my knee, by struggling to do so, and by looking for ways to heal it, I’ve been able to heal myself. I’ve healed so much more than just my knee.”
Press joined Angel City in 2022 and became the first player to sign with the expansion team on a three-year deal that was reportedly worth $700,000, making her one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL at the time. However, she had only made eight appearances for the team prior to her injury. Now, she has a chance to make her true start with Angel City.