Christen Press Announces Retirement, Capping Stellar Soccer Career

Christen Press, a two-time FIFA World Cup champion, has announced her retirement from professional soccer, effective at the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season. This decision marks the end of an illustrious 14-year career in which she made significant contributions to women’s soccer, particularly as a cornerstone of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).

Press, currently playing for Angel City FC, will be celebrated in a ceremony at BMO Field in Los Angeles on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET, as part of the club’s efforts to honor her impactful journey in the sport. During her time with the national team, Press played a pivotal role in the victories at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, including a crucial goal in the semifinal against England in 2019.

With 64 international goals to her name, Press ranks ninth in USWNT history. Her last appearance for the national team was at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she helped secure a bronze medal. Press also participated as an alternate in the 2012 Olympic gold-medal-winning squad.

In a heartfelt announcement on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Press reflected on her decision, sharing a mix of emotions. “I’m retiring from professional soccer, and I’ve decided that this is my last season and my last few games,” she stated. “I feel a mix of everything…there’s joy, there’s excitement, there’s fear, there’s so much grief. A part of me, a piece of me, I’m losing.”

The Los Angeles native, celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and versatility, joined Angel City as the club’s first official signing in 2021. As she approaches her 37th birthday in December, Press has played primarily in a reserve role this season, scoring once in 399 minutes on the field. Her return to play in 2024 followed a lengthy recovery from a knee injury and multiple surgeries.

Prior to her time at Angel City, Press played for the Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals in the NWSL, as well as several international clubs. Notably, her announcement comes shortly after the retirement of her wife and former U.S. teammate Tobin Heath, which Press acknowledged as influential in her decision. “I think it is time for my family to move on to our next chapter,” she said.

Press’s international career began in 2012 in Sweden, during a time when no professional league existed in the U.S. She made a significant impact while playing for Tyresö FF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, where she became the first American to win the Golden Boot in 2013 after scoring 23 goals. Her club made a deep run in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the final in 2014 before ultimately losing to VfL Wolfsburg.

After returning to the U.S. at the request of U.S. Soccer, which funded national team player contracts, Press joined the Chicago Red Stars in 2014. She experienced success there until her rights were traded to the Houston Dash ahead of the 2018 season. Press opted to play briefly in Sweden for Göteborg FC before returning to the NWSL with the expansion team, Utah Royals, later that year.

Press began her professional journey in the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2011 while playing for the magicJack team. She was selected as the fourth overall draft pick after a standout collegiate career at Stanford University, where she secured the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2010 as the best college soccer player.

As she prepares to conclude her career, Christen Press leaves an indelible mark on women’s soccer, inspiring countless athletes and fans around the world. Her legacy will be felt both on and off the field as she transitions into the next chapter of her life.