Angel City Football Club forward and L.A. native Christen Press announced her retirement Wednesday.
Press, 36, was the first player signed by Angel City ahead of its inaugural season in 2022. Her professional career took the Chadwick High alum to Europe and back to the U.S., finally at home in front of her family and friends at Angel City.
Her international career included 155 appearances, 64 goals, two World Cup titles (2015 and 2019) and an Olympic Bronze medal in 2021.
“It’s hard to find the words to say goodbye to a sport that has defined my life for over three decades,” she said in a statement. “Football has given me everything and I will miss being on the pitch so very much. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and community for this beautiful ride. I promise we will continue to reimagine sports in this next life.”
In her first year with Angel City, Press injured her knee and didn’t return to the field until 2024, after undergoing four surgeries. After the 2024 season, she signed a one-year extension with Angel City through this current season.
On her podcast “The Re-Cap Show,” which she hosts with wife and fellow former national team player Tobin Heath, Press said she was “torn all season and probably the season before” on the decision to retire.
“How hard I had to fight to be here (this season), made me start this season with a question of is this going to be my last season,” she said on the podcast. “If I was a betting woman, I would have bet that I would play one more year because I was waiting for something to force me to stop. I was waiting for a sign or a need or an impossibility because I didn’t think I was strong enough to say I didn’t need soccer anymore.
“For everyone soccer is going to end, but for me I just had that feeling pretty early on that I wanted something more. I can play, I love playing, I want to play another season, my body is OK, but I’ve chosen something else. I chose the rest of my life and I chose it now.”
Press has made 20 appearances this season, with only two starts, playing mostly late in games as a substitute. It is the most appearances she’s made in a season since 2017.
“Christen retires as one of the most decorated and respected forwards in U.S. soccer history, a pioneer whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of our club,” Angel City CEO and co-founder Julie Uhrman said in a statement. “As Angel City’s first signing, Christen’s contributions to the club have been unparalleled. From her extraordinary skill and relentless competitiveness on the pitch to her unwavering commitment to making the game and our community more equitable, inclusive, and impactful.”
Angel City concludes its home schedule Sunday against the Portland Thorns. The club was scheduled to honor captain Ali Riley, who is also retiring. The regular season concludes Nov. 2 on the road against the Chicago Stars, one of Press’ stops on her career journey.
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