Imagine being a soccer player, giving it your all on a pitch, when suddenly you feel a sharp immense pain in your knee. At first, you feel it could be nothing but a minor discomfort but that hope quickly fades when you realize you’ve torn your ACL. For years, we’ve watched players leave the field in tears, knowing months of recovery lie ahead. For USWNT star Christen Press, it took over 700 days before she could finally return to the pitch. 

Going back to 2022, she tore her ACL during Angel City FC’s match against Racing Louisville and underwent four surgeries since then. Once signed as one of the most expensive players in the NWSL, she returned to team training on June 11, 2024, exactly 2 years since that dreadful injury. Since then, she has steadily made progress, featuring 9 times for the club this season, with 8 of those appearances coming as a substitute.

Looking ahead to the next season, ex-USWNT star Ali Krieger is excited for Press’ future, after all the forward is no mere soccer player. Christen Press has scored 64 goals for the United States which has her sitting 9th in the list of all-time goals scored. Krieger believes this is a chance for other NWSL clubs to sign the two-time World Cup winner.

“A player like her, and her quality and experience, any team should be chomping at the bits to throw an offer at her,” says Krieger on ESPN’s Futbol W show. “She also has that motivation to want to play, she’s still wanting to get better, to be a leader, and to win” added the former Gotham FC player. 

Let’s not forget that she is the first American to earn the Golden Boot award in the history of the Swedish League. During her time at Göteborg FC and Tyresö FF, she made 55 appearances, scoring an impressive 46 goals. While she’s been named to the NWSL Best XI on four occasions, her time at Angel City FC could potentially be her last.

Will Christen Press retire at Angel City FC in the NWSL?

The 35-year-old signed a three-year contract in 2021 which was reportedly worth over $700,000. During that time she only managed to make 17 appearances for the club, scoring thrice. While the forward has previously expressed her interest in continuing in Los Angeles, there have been no updates on a contract renewal. 

Ali Krieger believes that no matter which club she joins, success is bound to follow. With Angel City FC recently parting ways with head coach Becki Tweed, this could be Christen’s opportunity to impress the new manager who will take charge.

Perhaps she could make a return to her former NWSL Clubs Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals. With the club set to undergo a revamp following Willow Bay and husband Bob Iger’s $50 million investment, only time will tell where Christen Press will be playing when the next season begins.