USWNT Legend Christen Press Announces Retirement at End of 2025 Season

Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Angel City forward Christen Press has announced her retirement from soccer. She plans to retire at the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Press revealed her decision during a Wednesday morning interview on Good Morning America.

Christen Press: A Remarkable Career

Press is considered one of the most influential players in women’s soccer of the 21st century. She boasts 155 appearances for the U.S. women’s national team (USWNT), scoring 64 goals and providing 23 assists. Among USWNT players, she ranks ninth in all-time goals.

International Highlights

• Debut: Against Scotland in 2013, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory.
• Last appearance: Tokyo Olympics 2021, winning the bronze medal match against Australia.
• Key contributions: Integral in 2015 and 2019 World Cup-winning teams.

Professional Milestones

Press began her collegiate soccer journey at Stanford University from 2007 to 2010. She set numerous records and graduated with 71 goals and 41 assists in 91 appearances. Her standout performance won her the NCAA player of the year (Hermann Trophy) in 2010.

Her professional career commenced in 2011 with Magicjack in the Women’s Professional Soccer league. Press then moved to Sweden, playing for Göteborg and Tyresö, where she won the Swedish women’s league golden boot in 2013. In 2014, she was a runner-up in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Tyresö.

Press continued her European adventure briefly with Manchester United in England in 2020. In the NWSL, she has played for the Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals, and Angel City, amassing 124 appearances and 49 goals, placing her eighth in all-time NWSL goal scorers. Her exceptional performances have earned her a spot in the NWSL Best XI four times.

Return to Los Angeles

Born in Los Angeles, Press played a significant role in launching Angel City in 2022, embodying the spirit of her hometown club. Unfortunately, an ACL injury in June 2022 sidelined her for over two years, during which she missed most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, she made a triumphant return in October 2024, scoring against the North Carolina Courage.

In 2025, she re-signed with Angel City for one final year, expressing her pride in representing her home city. As the current season concludes, Press will have two more appearances, including a home game against the Portland Thorns.

A Lasting Legacy

Throughout her career, Christen Press has grown into a legendary figure in women’s soccer. As she prepares to retire, her contributions and passion for the game will be celebrated, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and her community in Los Angeles.