Angel City FC’s late push for a playoff spot will have to succeed without Christen Press.
The U.S. women’s national team star has been battling through a protracted recovery from a torn ACL suffered in June 2022, one that has required four surgeries.
According to Angel City interim head coach Becki Tweed, Press’ return will have to wait a bit longer.
“Her objective is coming back for next season,” Tweed told The Sporting Tribune on Tuesday.
“I think that’s the space that she’s in, and obviously a player of her caliber, we’re excited for her return,” added Tweed. “But we’re excited for her return when it’s the right time for her, and I think that’s obviously really important to bear in mind that we talk about injuries, but we talk about humans and people’s emotional state and what she’s been through in the last year and a half has not been easy.”
“So we’re so excited to have her back, and we can’t wait for it to be back on the field, and we know when that moment happens, it’s going to benefit the team.”
Back in July, when Press announced on social media that she would require a fourth surgical procedure, she described the situation as like finding herself at the foot of a “bigger, scarier, higher mountain.”
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In a September 4 interview with ESPN, Press was clear that the obstacles aren’t going to keep her away forever.
“The comeback is on,” said Press. “I am doing everything in my power to get back on the field as soon as possible, so looking forward to my return on the pitch.”
While Press kept hopes of a late place on the 2023 World Cup roster alive until announcing that last procedure, she has remained busy. On top of her rehabilitation and return-to-play work, the 34-year-old forward has branched into sports coverage, hosting The RE-CAP Show with Tobin Heath during the World Cup.
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