Where do you even begin when talking about a legendary career like the one Angel City FC and USWNT superstar forward Christen Press has had? Today was the day plenty of women’s soccer fans likely saw coming, but were absolutely looking to avoid. Even now, if you listen hard enough, you can probably hear a swelling of ‘la-la-la-la-la-‘ with hands over ears, hoping that if they don’t hear the words, then it can’t make it true. Unfortunately for the game, it is true, as Christen Press has announced her retirement from soccer, with these final two games in the NWSL 2025 season, being her last.
Thank you, Christen 🖤
Angel City Football Club forward Christen Press has officially announced her retirement from professional soccer, concluding one of the most accomplished and influential careers in the modern era of the sport.
Read more: https://t.co/Y0jdVm6qta pic.twitter.com/xF7Luwqbsr— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 15, 2025
“It’s hard to find the words to say goodbye to a sport that has defined my life for over three decades. Football has given me everything, and I will miss being on the pitch so very much. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and community for this beautiful ride. I promise we will continue to reimagine sports in this next life!!” shared Christen Press as she reflected on her retirement.
In a statement, Angel City FC CEO and Co-Founder Julie Uhrman said “Christen retires as one of the most decorated and respected forwards in U.S. soccer history, a pioneer whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of our club. As Angel City’s first signing, Christen’s contributions to the club have been unparalleled. From her extraordinary skill and relentless competitiveness on the pitch to her unwavering commitment to making the game and our community more equitable, inclusive, and impactful. On behalf of everyone at Angel City, we thank Christen for everything she has given to the sport, our club, and future generations of athletes and fans.”
Christen Press wraps up her career as not only one of the best players this sport has ever seen, but as one of the most influential off the pitch that this sport has had the honor of knowing. She finishes as one of the leading scorers in USWNT history, netting 64 goals in her 155 International caps. She played a critical role in helping the National Team win back-to-back World Cup titles (2015 and 2019) as well as helping secure Olympic Bronze in the 2021 Olympic Games.
Then there’s the domestic list of achievements. Press is a Hermann Trophy winner from her time at Stanford University, where she set multiple scoring records. She has played in four different leagues, WPS, NWSL, FA WSL, and Sweden’s Damallsvenskan. She won the Golden Boot in Sweden as a member of Tyresö FF, scoring 25 goals in 26 appearances that season. In the WSL she featured in 14 matches for Manchester United where she scored four goals, but most will know her for her time in the NWSL, where she has played for Chicago Stars, Utah Royals, and most recently her hometown team Angel City FC, where she became the club’s first signing back in 2022, acting as an ambassador for the club’s mission of equity and inclusion. She has scored 49 regular-season goals across her 122 NWSL appearances.
Beyond her on-field achievements, Press has been a driving force in athlete advocacy and the evolution of women’s sports. Through her company RE—INC, she has championed athlete ownership, creative expression, and social progress, continuing to shape the landscape of sport long after the final whistle. Which is what makes this announcement such a bittersweet moment. For so many women’s soccer fans, she was the entry point. A creative, technically precise, high work-rate forward who made the game look easy at times. Exuding confident and kindness, Press has been the type of player even the most casual of ball knowers have heard about. Her impact on this sport will last for generations, and she retires as one of the most decorated and respected USWNT players. With just one last home match remaining in the 2025 NWSL season, expect the Los Angeles soccer legend to make it a day to remember, with what will likely be a packed BMO full of fans, family, friends, admirers and those who gained inspiration from Press all showing up to say their goodbyes, and thank her for the honor of being able to watch her approach this game not just with immense talent and ability, but with incredible dignity and strength.
Thoughts on Christen Press retiring? Leave a comment below!