USWNT's World Cup-winning veteran Christen Press set for return at Angel City after two-year recovery

After 781 days, U.S. women's national team forward and Angel City FC striker Christen Press is active in her return from injury for the NWSL club. The two-time World Cup winner sustained an ACL injury in June 2022 and has undergone four surgeries ahead of her return to the pitch. She is available for selection ahead of Angel City's Summer Cup match against San Diego Wave FC on Thursday night. Fans can watch the entire NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup tournament on Paramount+ with this game starting at 10 p.m. ET.

"You have to accept that things won't go the way you think they will, but maybe they'll go even better," said Press in a statement.

"That's the hope that I'm taking into the next phase of my recovery journey. I'm very proud of all the hard work that has taken me to this moment, and grateful to the army of people around me that have helped me arrive. Thank you to the women's soccer family that has supported me all the way ... I can't wait to play for all of you again."

The 35-year-old California native has gone through extensive rehab and after multiple surgeries and work with her club and doctors, Press is set to play her first minutes after a two-year absence from the pitch. The injury kept her away from Angel City's playoff run in 2023 and she missed the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Over the years she has spent time in training with her club teammates and traveled, but the franchise has taken a cautious approach to her return since she sustained the injury.

"This is a direct result of two straight years of Christen's hard work and determination to return to the game," said ACFC head coach Becki Tweed. "She is a leader on and off the pitch and we are thrilled to have her available for selection."

"This is a story of perseverance, patience, and Christen's unwavering belief that she was going to get back on the pitch," said VP of medical and performance, Sarah Smith. "The odds were truly stacked against her at times and this is the start of the next step in this journey."

The U.S. national team is competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and will face Japan in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The program is led by head coach Emma Hayes and is in the early phases of building out its next era while embracing younger players. Plenty of eyeballs will be on Press' minutes as the forward takes her first steps back on the pitch and whether or not the minutes could lead back to the international stage.

The longtime USWNT forward's career has taken her around the United States with Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals and in Europe with Sweden sides Tyreso FF, Goteborg FC, and England's Manchester United. She also played in WPS, the NWSL predecessor, with MagicJack. She's been featured on two Olympic rosters, winning bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Games and World Cups in 2015 and 2019.