Amidst the Olympics, there’s some good news from LA. After 781 days, the tunnel has ended for Christen Press. She was sidelined for over two years due to an ACL injury on her knee ligament, and she appears to grace the pitch very soon. As the striker’s absence halted many other supporters’ dreams, the 35-year-old’s return is surely a moment of celebration for Angel City FC. Especially for Angel City co-owner and Serena Williams‘s husband Alexis Ohanian, it’s even more of a corner-kick of positivity.

Taking to his Instagram story, the Reddit founder reposted an important update from Angel City’s newsroom. The club announced that Press has been removed from the Californian team’s season-ending injury (SEI) list. The report stated, “📰 #AngelCityFC announces the removal of star forward Christen Press from the NWSL season-ending injury list. Press, who was ACFC’s first-ever signing, is returning to the pitch 781 days after tearing her right ACL on June 11, 2022. The countdown begins ⏳”

Press caught an injury on her right knee while playing against Racing Louisville in the NSWL in 2022. She consequently had to undergo 4 surgeries but had the grit to make a return at the latter stages of her career. Players are usually expected to miss the game for eight to ten months while suffering ACL according to medical experts, but Press who underwent so many operations needed more time to recover.

While the club’s coach and other internal fraternity are aware of what it took, the tennis star’s husband was the one who welcomed the former Manchester United star saying that they brought her back home. Ohanian is the highest stakeholder in the club’s ownership and expressed his aim to make it the best sporting franchisee in the world. With the arrival of Press, this can be the first step towards such a destiny.

Christen Press marks her entry with a great statement

To come back onto the pitch after so many days can take a toll on your mind. However, Christen Press’ passion for the sport was revealed in a part of her recent statement. She stated, “I’m very proud of all the hard work that has taken me to this moment, and grateful to the army of people around me that have helped me arrive. Thank you to the women’s soccer family that has supported me all the way… I can’t wait to play for all of you again.” Meanwhile, her comeback to the national team may remain a question.

On the other hand, not just the foremost player, Press who hails from Los Angeles brings emotion to the Californian soccer fans. Considered one of the most talented strikers she already has 51 goals in 100 NWSL games and won the WPS Rookie of the Year in 2011. She later added many accolades to her name including the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. With such a legendary profile, she will aim to give her home franchisee and make Alexis Ohanian Sr. and the whole club proud.