FULLERTON, Calif. — Four surgeries and 782 days later, Christen Press returned to play.
The two-time World Cup champion returned to game action after being sidelined for two years after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament. Press checked into Angel City’s NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup Femenil Summer Cup victory over the Wave — 5-3 on penalty kicks — in the 89th minute on Thursday night.
Press did not take long to remind everyone of her skill. The game went to a penalty shootout after being drawn 0-0, and she stepped up to the spot as Angel City’s second penalty taker.
With calmness, Press slipped a shot into the bottom corner.
“I was thinking about the fact that in this stadium, every person, even the San Diego fans, were cheering for me in a way," Press said. "I was like, ‘just be a vessel.’”
Finishing is one of Press’ renowned traits. She has appeared in 101 NWSL games, scoring 50 goals. She also has 155 caps with the United States Women’s National Team, finding the back of the net 64 times.
The penalty kick was a reminder of that talent.
Couldn't have written it any better.
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 2, 2024
Christen Press scores on a penalty in her first match back! pic.twitter.com/KeIKo9QAbQ
Press said she feels like she can be the same level player she was before her injury. She returned to training in June and said she felt it was “like riding a bike.” She quickly communicated with her teammates how to play alongside her to maximize her abilities.
“I'm in a unique situation where I don't feel a lot of pressure because it's taken me so long to be able to run on the field," Press said. "There's a lot of grace now.
"With the penalty, I think it was probably the first time the larger world has seen that I have my center of gravity, I have my footing, and I am the same player that I was, hopefully, a little better.”
Angel City’s regular-season campaign resumes on Aug. 24, when Press could make her NWSL return. But first, the team will play the first semifinal in club history on Tuesday.
“When I am returning to the pitch, I hope that I can keep that peace and not return as the same person that I was, but return a little bit more grounded and a little bit more sturdy,” Press said.