Christen Press, a renowned figure in women’s soccer, has officially announced her retirement from professional play, marking the end of her illustrious career after the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic bronze medalist, now 36 years old, currently plays as a forward for Angel City FC, a club she joined in 2022. Over her tenure with the Los Angeles team, Press has made 37 regular-season appearances.
In a heartfelt interview on Good Morning America, Press shared her decision, stating, “I’m retiring from professional soccer and I’ve decided that this is my last season and my last few games. I thought I would wait until I didn’t want to play anymore, but I realized… that time is never going to come.” Her candid acknowledgment reflects the depth of her passion for the game and the inevitable transition athletes face in their careers.
Press’s soccer journey is marked by a plethora of achievements. She was part of the U.S. women’s national team that celebrated victories in the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups, accumulating 155 international caps and scoring 64 goals. Notably, she also contributed to the U.S. team’s bronze medal achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Additionally, Press has been instrumental in the U.S.’s triumphs in the SheBelieves Cup, Concacaf Women’s Championship, Algarve Cup, and the Tournament of Nations.
Her professional career began in 2011 with magicJack in the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league. Press subsequently expanded her horizons by playing in Europe for Göteborg FC and Tyresö FF before returning to the United States. After joining the Chicago Red Stars for four seasons, she returned to Sweden for a brief stint before playing for the Utah Royals from 2018-2020. In 2020, Press and her U.S. teammate, Tobin Heath, signed with Manchester United, where she played until her recent return to the NWSL with Angel City FC.
Throughout her career, Press has made a significant impact in the league, scoring 49 NWSL regular-season goals across 122 matches. As she approaches the final chapter of her playing days, fans and teammates alike celebrate her contributions to the sport and look forward to her future endeavors beyond the pitch.