781 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes. That’s how long its been since Angel City FC and their fans have seen their inaugural signing, soccer superstar Christen Press, take the pitch. Two years of rehabilitation, set backs, surgeries, training sessions, questions, doubts, and now, joy. A long journey that, in a lot of ways, is about tor reach the climax, but in so many more ways, is merely the beginning. We can finally say, after all this time, Christen Press plays football this evening, and oh boy will it be the most emotional moment soccer has seen in a while.
Welcome back, Queen 👑 pic.twitter.com/NZjVbstGaP
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 31, 2024
The Wave still exist
Okay, like opening the small boxes first on Christmas Day, let us at least pretend to care enough about the actual match to talk about it, because there is still lots to play for with a spot in the next rounds on the line for Angel City FC. The team will be back at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, playing host to NWSL rivals, San Diego Wave who feature an Alex Morgan likely still miffed at missing out on being named to the Olympics. This will be the tenth time these two meet in the two short seasons they have existed, with the historical matchup being completely even with both sides winning three, and losing three, with three draws. The Wave have split their first two Summer Cup matches so fast, with their last match being a loss.
For Angel City, a result would see them through to the semifinals of the tournament. So either a win or draw is all they need, which given how they have looked so far this tournament might not be as tough a task as first imagined. The team have gone undefeated in the Cup so far, scoring a total of four goals combined in the two wins. Now, they can go for the group sweep with the added cherry on top of beating a rival, and did we mention, they will have a little added fire power this time as well.
It’s finally happening
“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.”
“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 in a statement. “The odds were truly stacked against her at times and this is the start of the next step in this journey. The collaborative effort between Christen, our medical and performance staff, her doctors, and other rehab experts has been instrumental in reaching this point.”
Tonight will be a moment. The entire woso world has waited the return of CP23, as even those who aren’t Angel City fans acknowledge, appreciate, and love to watch the talent that is Press. Surprisingly, this will be just the ninth time Press has worn an Angel City kit in action. That’s what has been taken from her the last two years, not just the ability to play the game she so very obviously loves, but the chance to represent the team in her hometown. The chance to have her hands in changing the sport she loves. There will be plenty of time to talk what this means tactically, what this could mean emotionally for the team as a whole entering the second half of the season, and what this means for the starting lineup and future roster moves now that Press has returned, but for now, for a moment like this, let us all just live in the moment. Let us all just appreciate in a sport that seems to present us with a new devastating injury every two weeks, is finally providing us with a return, of one of the greats.
We’ve been waiting on this one 😤
🗓️ Thursday, 8/1
🆚 San Diego Wave
📍 Titan Stadium
⚽️ 7:00 PM PT Kickoff
🏆 NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvSD | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/po2j5G7wej— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) July 31, 2024
How to Watch
Kickoff is set for 7:00pm PT from Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Ca. The match can be streamed live on Paramount+ for those in the USA, as well as NWSL+ for the International fans.
How thrilled are you to see Christen Press return? Leave a comment below!