Wed Oct 15 12:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Soccer Icon Christen Press Announces Retirement**

**LOS ANGELES, CA** – Christen Press, one of the most decorated players in U.S. Women’s National Team history, has announced her retirement from professional soccer. The 36-year-old two-time World Cup champion and Angel City FC forward revealed her decision in an interview on Good Morning America Wednesday, marking the end of an illustrious career.

“I’m retiring from professional soccer,” Press stated, expressing a mix of emotions including “relief, joy, excitement, fear, and so much grief.”

Press leaves behind a legacy defined by her remarkable achievements on the field. Over 155 appearances with the USWNT, she scored 64 goals and played a pivotal role in securing two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles. Known for her speed, technical skill, and composure, Press was a key figure in the USWNT’s golden era.

Beyond her on-field performance, Press has been a champion for equity in women’s sports and a founding member of Angel City FC, contributing significantly to the growth of women’s soccer in Los Angeles.

After suffering a severe knee injury three years ago, Press has fought her way back to the field, but ultimately decided to retire on her own terms, rather than being forced by circumstance.

“I thought I would wait until I didn’t want to play anymore,” she explained, “But I realized that time’s never going to come… it was really important for me to make this decision for myself.”

Press will play her final Angel City home game this Sunday. Soccer has always been a family affair, her father sparked her love for the game. Her mother, who passed away battling brain cancer in 2018, became a source of strength during her career.

Press is married to former teammate Tobin Heath, who also retired from professional soccer earlier this year. Together, they co-founded a media company and co-host The RE-CAP Show podcast.

“It is time for my family to move on to our next chapter, we’re going to be a part of this game forever, but it’s time for it to look different for us.”

Press expressed gratitude for her career, her family, and the city she grew up in. “I get to leave this game with a family, a dog, a wife, a house in the city that I grew up in that I love, and that feels like a really soft landing,” she said.

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