Christen Press scores her first goal for Angel City FC since missing two years with ACL injury. Moreover, an ACL tear that required four surgeries.
Press clearly knew what she was going to do once she got the ball. She has probably done this move a 1000 times in training. Late in the game, with the defender tired, it didn’t take much to put her off balance for a moment and open up the space for Press to score.
From Yahoo Sports – “Press’ recovery has had many setbacks: In July 2023, Press revealed she required a fourth surgery to repair her ACL. But the 35-year-old forward has powered through in time to make a triumphant return to the field, more than 781 days after her injury.”
Watch the Christen Press goal in the video below. Just look at how happy Press is after scoring! Faking the shot and dragging the ball to her other foot is just brilliantly done. As many have said, you might call this fake shot and cutting to the other foot Press’ signature move. Plus, the confusion in the box when the keepers defenders shield the ball from view.
Christen Press… are you serious?! pic.twitter.com/Sthd3k7GHW
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 13, 2024
This is a true goal-scorer’s goal—classic forward’s play. Christen Press netted it in the 96th minute against North Carolina. Setting up her defender perfectly. She slowed down for a moment, faked the shot, shifted the ball to her other foot, and struck it past the goalkeeper with precision.
What Press has achieved is remarkable, especially after coming back from a devastating ACL tear. She could have retired, already having cemented her legacy. She was an extraordinary player for both the U.S. national team and integral in building up the women’s professional league in the United States.
For evidence of her ability, just look at her Marta like goal versus France. Press picks the soccer ball up at half field and slices through three French defenders. She then calmly passes the ball into the net.
Scoring a goal like this for Angel City surely makes all the hard work worthwhile. What we don’t see as fans is the day in and day out physical therapy and work.
Is Press too old for another run with the U.S. women’s national team? Perhaps. But we can hope for more goals like this one. Beyond her performance on the soccer field, Press continues to be an inspiration and role model for young female soccer players worldwide.
