BREAKING NEWS: Christen Press Announces Retirement After 2025 Angel City Season

LOS ANGELES — Christen Press, one of the most decorated forwards in U.S. soccer history and a two-time FIFA World Cup champion, announced Wednesday that she will retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of Angel City FC’s 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. The decision marks the end of a groundbreaking 13-year pro career that has seen Press become one of the most influential figures in women’s football both on and off the field.

A Decade of Excellence for Club and Country

Press, 36, confirmed her retirement plans through a post shared on her social media accounts and an official statement released by Angel City FC. In her message, she called the decision “the closing of a wonderful chapter” and expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and coaches who “helped shape a dream into a lifetime of purpose.”

Debuting for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) in 2013, Press quickly made her mark with her exceptional technical skill, creative finishing, and trademark composure under pressure. Over the next eight years, she would tally more than 150 appearances for her country, scoring over 60 goals — a record that places her among the top scorers in USWNT history.

Her achievements include two FIFA Women’s World Cup championships, in Canada in 2015 and France in 2019, as well as an Olympic bronze medal in 2021. Press was known not only for her ability to score decisive goals but also for her versatility as a winger and forward, seamlessly adapting to different attacking systems under multiple coaches.

From Stanford to the World Stage

Before her tenure with the USWNT, Press established herself as a collegiate star at Stanford University, where she left as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Her remarkable combination of pace, intelligence, and finishing earned her the 2010 Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in U.S. college soccer.

After college, Press’s career path took her abroad — a move that would shape her development into one of the most complete forwards of her generation. She joined Sweden’s Tyresö FF in 2013 and then Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, where her performances attracted global attention. Her time in Europe helped her refine a distinct playing style that blended American athleticism with Scandinavian tactical awareness.

Record-Breaking Career Across Leagues

In the NWSL, Press played for several prominent clubs, including the Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals, and ultimately Angel City FC, where she became one of the franchise’s foundational players following its 2022 debut. Her vision and consistency helped solidify the team’s attacking identity and attracted record attendance to matches at BMO Stadium.

Throughout her club career, Press became known as one of the NWSL’s most efficient scorers, registering double-digit goals across multiple seasons. Even after suffering a major ACL injury in 2022, she remained a visible leader for Angel City, mentoring younger teammates and advocating for player welfare and gender equity in sports.

Her impact extended beyond statistics. Press represented a model of professionalism and resilience — qualities that resonated with fans and inspired a new generation of athletes navigating the growing landscape of women’s soccer worldwide.

A Pioneer for Angel City FC and Women’s Sports

Angel City FC — co-founded by high-profile investors including Natalie Portman and Serena Williams — has become one of the most visible symbols of women’s sports entrepreneurship. Press was the club’s first official player signing, a move that quickly elevated the team’s public profile and reinforced the importance of star power in women’s leagues.

Her presence during Angel City’s formative seasons added legitimacy to the project and demonstrated how player leadership could drive community engagement. The team developed initiatives focused on social impact, pay equity, and local outreach — missions Press embraced as central to her career’s final stage.

In a statement Wednesday, Angel City FC’s president Kara Nortman described Press as “the heart and voice of our club from day one” and credited her for “laying the foundations for generations of women to compete, dream, and thrive in professional soccer.”

Historical Context: Press Among the Greats

Press’s retirement closes the chapter on one of the most successful eras in U.S. women’s soccer. Alongside contemporaries like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Tobin Heath, she played a pivotal role in sustaining the U.S. team’s dominance through the 2010s — a decade during which the squad not only won major tournaments but reshaped global perceptions of women’s athletics.

Her playing style often drew comparisons to legends like Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach, though Press’s artistry and movement off the ball set her apart. Teammates frequently praised her ability to unlock defenses with a single touch or find shooting angles others might not even notice.

While the U.S. has produced many prolific forwards, Press’s career trajectory — defined by international club experiences and advocacy work beyond the pitch — distinguishes her as a multidimensional pioneer.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Press’s career unfolded during a period of extraordinary transformation in women’s sports economics. Over the last decade, the NWSL expanded its reach, doubling average attendance and securing broadcast deals with major networks and streaming platforms. As one of the league’s earliest global ambassadors, Press contributed directly to that growth.

When Angel City FC joined the NWSL in 2022, its business model — focused on local ownership, celebrity partnerships, and community reinvestment — set new standards for how professional women’s teams could operate sustainably. Press was the central marketing figure for the club’s launch, her jersey sales surpassing early projections and drawing new fans into the sport.

Her influence has also extended into the fashion and lifestyle sectors. Through her company RE—INC, founded with former USWNT teammates, Press explored the intersection of sport, gender, and creativity, using her platform to champion inclusivity and representation across industries.

Analysts credit players like Press for expanding the commercial appeal of women’s soccer beyond traditional audiences. Her thoughtful public persona and consistent on-field excellence made her a marketable and trusted figure for brands navigating the shift toward more socially conscious sports partnerships.

Global Influence and Regional Legacy

Internationally, Press has remained a respected figure within FIFA and the global women’s football community. Her experience playing in Sweden predated the later wave of NWSL players transferring to European clubs, a movement that advanced competitive parity between U.S. and European leagues. She helped demonstrate that American players could adapt and excel abroad while simultaneously strengthening the domestic game upon their return.

Within Los Angeles, Press’s retirement hits particularly close to home. Born and raised in the South Bay area, she was among the rare players who had the opportunity to represent her hometown in a professional capacity. Her tenure with Angel City helped galvanize local pride and built a lasting connection between the club and the city’s soccer-enthusiastic communities.

Looking Ahead: The Final Farewell

As the 2025 NWSL season enters its final stretch, Press has stated that she intends to finish the season with Angel City while focusing on mentoring younger players and contributing to community initiatives. Her final matches are expected to draw large crowds, with fans across the country preparing tributes for one of the game’s most celebrated figures.

While Press has not yet announced specific plans for post-retirement life, those close to her anticipate continued involvement in sport, media, and advocacy work. Her interest in business and storytelling suggests she may remain a visible presence in the global conversation around women’s empowerment and athletic equality.

Angel City FC officials have confirmed that a formal retirement celebration will be held in Los Angeles following the club’s final home game. Additional tributes from U.S. Soccer and former teammates are expected in the coming weeks.

The End of an Era

Christen Press’s retirement marks more than the conclusion of a storied individual career — it represents the evolution of women’s soccer into a fully professional, culturally significant global phenomenon. From her early days at Stanford to lifting World Cup trophies on the sport’s grandest stage, Press has embodied the growth, grace, and determination that continue to define the modern game.

As the curtain falls on her playing years, her legacy endures through the players she inspired, the institutions she helped shape, and the countless fans whose lives she touched — both as a champion on the field and as a visionary beyond it.