LOS ANGELES — Many Angel City fans are anticipating the return of forward Christen Press. However, their wait will be extended as Press will not return this season. Head coach Becki Tweed told The Sporting Tribune on Tuesday that Press is targeting a 2024 return, saying “her objective is coming back for next season.” 

“She did an interview last week, and I think her objective is coming back for next season,” Tweed said. “And I think that’s the space that she’s in, and obviously a player of her caliber, we’re excited for her return. But we’re excited for her return when it’s the right time for her, and I think that’s obviously really important to bear in mind that we talk about injuries, but we talk about humans and people’s emotional state and what she’s been through in the last year and a half has not been easy. So we’re so excited to have her back, and we can’t wait for it to be back on the field, and we know when that moment happens, it’s going to benefit the team.”

The interview Tweed is referring to is one Press did with ESPNs Holly Rowe, where Press said, “the comeback is on.”

Press has not played for Angel City since June of 2022, when she sustained a right knee injury. She appeared in eight matches for Angel City in 2022 before the injury, scoring two goals. She is also a member of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), where she has appeared in 155 matches, scoring 64 goals and winning two World Cups in her career.

Press announced she needed to have a fourth surgery to repair her knee in mid-July, delaying her return. On Tuesday, Tweed explained that postponement at the club level will last until the 2024 NWSL season. When Press returns, Tweed said on Sept. 5, she expects “it’s gonna be a good boost for the squad.” But that boost will have to wait until 2024.