Two-time World Cup winner, Christen Press announces her retirement from professional football

Christen Press has announced that she will retire from professional football at the end of the 2024/25 season, concluding a remarkable career spanning around 15 years across four leagues in three countries, and over a decade in the top-flight. 

📸 via planetsport.com

The 36-year-old has played for several clubs across multiple leagues including: MagicJack in the WPS (USA), a league that folded after her season there,  BK Hacken and Tyresö FF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, Manchester United in England’s WSL, and  for Chicago Red Stars (where she made her debut on April 19, 2014), Utah Royals FC, and her current club, Angel City FC in the NWSL (USA). 

Throughout her career, Press has earned numerous accolades including: WPS Rookie of the Year (2011), the Damallsvenskan Golden Boot (2013), multiple NWSL Best XI selections, and reaching the Champions League final with Tyresö FF in 2014. Beyond individual awards, she also embodied leadership, resilience, and professionalism on and off the pitch, inspiring teammates and leaving a lasting impact on every club she represented. 

Her career faced a major setback when she suffered an ACL injury on June 11, 2022, against Racing Louisville FC. Following surgery and extensive rehabilitation, she made her long-awaited return on August 1, 2024, in an NWSL × Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match against the San Diego Wave, scoring a penalty in the shootout after the match. She later returned to playing in the league with Angel City FC, proving her resilience and determination to compete at the highest level after such a serious injury. 

As a forward, Christen Press was a vital presence for every team she played for; her clinical technique, speed, and intelligent movement allowed her to create and finish scoring opportunities, accumulating over 100 career club goals. Her talent, drive, dedication, and technical brilliance will be deeply missed by her teammates, fans and football community worldwide.