Longtime United States women’s national soccer team forward and two-time World Cup winner Christen Press played her first game in more than two years on Thursday, appearing as a substitute in Angel City FC‘s shootout victory over San Diego Wave FC.
Press came on in the 88th minute of Angel City’s win on penalty kicks in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup match, and she was greeted with an ovation from the crowd at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California. Press converted a penalty kick in the shootout after the teams went scoreless in regulation time.
“It was definitely a nostalgic feeling. When you get to play a soccer game, it’s a miracle,” Press told CBS Sports Network after the contest. “I was so excited, I was very nervous. I felt the love and support from this amazing soccer community that was here tonight.”
Couldn’t have written it any better.
Christen Press scores on a penalty in her first match back! pic.twitter.com/KeIKo9QAbQ
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 2, 2024
She last played on June 11, 2022, when she tore her right ACL in a National Women’s Soccer League match. She has undergone four knee surgeries since. She missed the entirety of 2023, including the World Cup.
The 35-year-old Southern California native was Angel City’s first signing as the team…
