A mid-match sprinkler interruption didn’t dampen Angel City FC’s win over San Diego FC that featured the long-awaited return of star forward Christen Press.
Press entered the game in the 89th minute to a resounding applause from the sell-out crowd at Titan Stadium, Angel City’s home venue for NWSL x Liga MXF Summer Cup matches.
Press has been sidelined since she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in June 2022, a span of 781 days. The injury and complications required four surgeries for Angel City’s first signee.
“It was a lot of emotion,” Press said of the moment she returned to the field. “So many ups and downs over the last two years, definitely moments where I didn’t think I’d make it. I think sometimes as athletes we are looking for the next thing and I was just trying to be present. I just ran on the field for the last five minutes but it was a lot of determination and patience that was required to make it on the field tonight. I really see it as the next part of my journey.”
Angel City coach Becki Tweed described the moment she told Press to enter the match.
“I was so shocked,” Tweed said of Press’ calm demeanor. “She’s been ready and it’s been finding the right moment for her and the team to get her one the field. I asked if she was ready and she didn’t even flinch. I think it was a perfect night for her.”
After 90 scoreless minutes, Angel City won a penalty kick shootout 5-3. While a regular NWSL game would result in a draw, Summer Cup rules require a penalty shootout if the game is tied at the final whistle.
Press was among the five Angel City players who converted their penalty kicks. Claire Emslie, Alyssa Thompson, Rocky Rodríguez and Kennedy Fuller also hit Angel City penalty kicks, while goalkeeper DiDi Haracic was in goal as San Diego missed two penalty shots.
Press has converted penalty kicks countless times before. Taking in the smell of the grass and the sounds of cheering fans, she said she thought of Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
“When I went up I thought about how athletes are vessels and how we have this idea of turning humans into idols,” Press said. ”When you think of the best athletes in the world like Messi, he is a vessel and everyone believes in him. He transmits that. It takes the pressure off you. So I was reminding myself that I am a vessel.”
Press also gave herself some grace, something Tweed has been urging her team to do. She said she believes it helped them feel less pressure during the penalty kicks.
“Everyone strives for perfection,” Tweed said. “… That’s why they are what they are. So.giving them that space to express themselves and take the pressure off going into the pens, we knew it was a chance to gain experience. I’ve asked them to really enjoy the game, enjoy each other, enjoy the struggle.”
Angel City won its two previous Summer Cup matches and won Group B with eight points. The team advances to the semifinals and will play Kansas City Current on Tuesday at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.
“Winning is everything and so important to players, to staff, to confidence in order to continue to grow,” Tweed said of what it meant to advance to the semifinals. “We have to use this window to our advantage. We have a lot of players still here and we need to use that to grow and build.”
Angel City will play a friendly against FC Juárez on Aug. 18 at BMO Stadium before resuming NWSL play on the road against San Diego on Aug. 24 following an Olympic break.
While Press is still processing her first match in two years, she looks forward to what she sees as the next part of her journey.
“I feel really good, I feel like I have a center of gravity,” Press said. “I know exactly the kind of player I am. Tonight was probably the first time the world has seen me have a center of gravity and that I am the same player I was, if not a bit better.”