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Christen Press makes long-awaited return as Angel City defeats San Diego on PKs

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DailyNews.com 

FULLERTON — All eyes were on the sideline whenever the Angel City Football Club’s reserves went to do their warm-ups.

The only question everyone likely had was when would Christen Press get her chance to enter the game.

The moment finally happened deep into regulation of Thursday night’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup game against San Diego Wave FC.

Press, who had spent more than two seasons on the season-ending injury list, came on in the 89th minute to a loud roar from the crowd at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.

It was the first time since June of 2022 that she had been available for a game, having suffered an ACL injury that month and then undergoing four surgeries. The two-time World Cup champion was officially taken off of the injury list on Wednesday.

“It was a lot of emotion,” said Press, a 35-year-old Southern California native who was Angel City’s first signing as the team put together its roster ahead of its 2022 NWSL expansion season. “So many ups and downs over the last two years, definitely moments when I didn’t think I would be able to make it and I think sometimes as athletes, wherever we are, we’re looking for the next thing and I was just trying so hard this week to be present and know that it was pretty symbolic. I just ran on the field for the last five minutes, but it was me making it.

“It was a lot of determination and patience that was required for me to run on the field tonight. I really see it as the next part of my journey.”

Her first touch came at 89:12 when she sent a shot over the crossbar from approximately 8 yards out.

With the game scoreless, Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haračić was forced to make a pair of big saves in stoppage time, followed by a shot by Melanie Barcenas that hit the crossbar.

The game remained scoreless through regulation, giving Angel City (2-0-1) a point to clinch Group B of the 20-team tournament with seven points.

Angel City picked up an extra point by winning the penalty shootout 5-3, with Claire Emslie, Press, Alyssa Thompson, Rocky Rodriguez and Kennedy Fuller all converting to give Angel City eight points, securing the team’s spot in the semifinals on Tuesday in Kansas City.

“It’s something we’ve talked over the last couple of weeks of removing pressure,” Angel City coach Becki Tweed said. “When I did a deep dive on this team and we’ve talked about it a lot. Everybody strives for perfection, everybody as an elite athlete wants to be perfect every single day, that’s why they are where they are.

“Stripping that back a little bit and giving them the freedom and the confidence to be able to make mistakes. We’ve talked about what every person is good at and what we need for them to contribute to the team for us to be good and I think giving them that space to express themselves and take the pressure off, going into the pens (penalty kicks) we knew it was a chance for us to gain experience. We always want to win and we always want to beat rival teams, but there was no pressure on us.”

There was no pressure or doubt that Press, who has scored 50 goals across all competitions in 101 NWSL games, was stepping up for her attempt.

“I knew for a fact that she was going to take a pen,” Tweed said. “That’s something she’s done her whole career in high-pressure situations.”

Angel City had won its first two games in group play, defeating Club America, 2-1, and Bay FC, 2-0.

As is usually the case when Angel City and San Diego square off, scoring was difficult for both teams. Angel City had a couple of good chances in the first half, one ending with Alyssa Thompson hitting the post.

The teams went into halftime scoreless.

The game opened up in the second half for San Diego as Barcenas brought some life to the attack, but Haračić stood strong in goal. Haračić made one save in the shootout, helping Angel City close out the group in Press’ return.

“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. “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. There’s a lot of grace now.”

Four of the five group winners advance to the semifinals. Kansas City and North Carolina booked their spots into the semifinals earlier Thursday, and the final spot will be finalized Friday before the teams are seeded to set up the semifinal matchups.