Press happy to finally score first goal in more than two years

828 days

That’s approximately how long it has been since Christen Press scored a goal. It was back on June 11, 2022 in Louisville that Press found the back net in a game that Angel City FC eventually won. The price for that win however was heavy for both Press and Angel City, as she left the match in the 66th minute and was later discovered to have torn her ACL.

However, it was not so much the injury itself, but the road back to the pitch that would be the most grueling for Press. The star forward needed four surgeries over the course of two seasons, and given all that she had accomplished throughout her career at both the professional and national team level, it might have been easier for someone that had all of her accomplishments to easily contemplate calling it a career.

Press however decided to grind it out, determined to get back on the field. That finally happened on August 1 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup against San Diego Wave FC in Fullerton. Press did find the back net in that match, but it was in a penalty shootout, though it was crucial in helping Angel City win that match. However, last Saturday, on the road against the North Carolina Courage, Press finally scored in a league match, as received a pass from Katie Zelem and eventually found the back net.

“I’ve been rewatching my old goals all the way back to 2012 and I can see how my goal scoring has changed over time,” Press said. “I wanted to figure out who I am going to be now since returning from injury and still making my way back. I can’t wait to see what thirty-five year-old, four-ACL-surgery Christen Press looks like when she scores a goal.” 

The moment came for Press deep into stoppage time with the match scoreless. Zelem deked several defenders and dribbled past the halfway line into Courage territory, Carolina’s Cortnee Vine closed space, and Zelem responded by passing to Press on the right side, Press took the ball into the penalty area, made a cutting move inside, then fired a ball that beat keeper Casey Murphy far post for a 96th minute goal that put Angel City in front.

“It felt like an out-of-body experience,” Press said. “I’ll go back and watch it and I hope that it is a good goal and I hope that I’m proud of it and I hope I’m gonna be like, ‘That’s a quintessential Christen Press goal.’”

Press’ long-awaited moment would have been even sweeter for Angel City had it won them the game. But Carolina stole the moment at the death, as Olivia Wingate scored late to level the match, forcing Angel City to settle for the draw. Press and Angel City however refused to let the result dampen her accomplishment.

“She’s been working hard to get to this point and I’m glad that she was rewarded with a goal tonight, but I think you could see the quality that she can bring to the game in the 30 to 40 minutes that she got tonight,” Angel City head coach Becki Tweed said.

Press and Angel City are back at in on Sunday evening, as they host the Utah Royals in its home finale of the 2024 season.