Five Best Moments from Christen Press’ Historic USWNT Career
Pregame retirement celebration will honor Los Angeles native ahead of friendly against Paraguay on Jan. 24
The U.S. Women’s National Team’s match next week against Paraguay will mark more than just the beginning of the 2026 campaign. Former USWNT forward and Los Angeles native Christen Press, who announced her retirement from professional soccer last October, will be honored ahead of the match in front of her hometown fans at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) in Carson, Calif, celebrating the end of her historic international career.
Press finished her legendary USWNT career with 155 caps and ranks ninth all-time in goals (64) and 12th all-time in assists (43). She is a two-time FIFA World Cup champion (2015, 2019) and earned a bronze medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
These are five of the best moments from Press’ eight-year career with the USWNT:
Press made her USWNT debut on Feb. 9, 2013, in a 4-1 win against Scotland in front of 18,656 fans at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The forward made an immediate impact, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute off a left-footed strike from the top of the box. Press doubled the lead in the 32nd minute after getting on the end of a cross from USWNT forward Tobin Heath, heading the ball into the bottom left corner. Press became just the third player in U.S. history to score two goals in her first match.
Press was named to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup roster for the U.S. and started in the team’s opening group stage match against Australia on June 8. In the 61st minute, forward Sydney Leroux made a run down the left wing, beating her defender inside the box before cutting it back to an unmarked Press, who sent in a first-time shot towards the far post to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead. It was the first of Press’ two World Cup goals.
On June 12, 2018, Press became the 37th player to hit triple-digit appearances for the USWNT. In her first start of the year, she assisted both goals in the 2-1 win against China PR in a friendly at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The U.S. opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Press delivered a perfect cross from the right flank to forward Megan Rapinoe, who finished with a well-placed header. After China equalized in the second half, the U.S. responded three minutes later. Press played a give-and-go with Heath at the top of the penalty area. The pass bounced off Press back to Heath, who arced her volley over the goalkeeper for the game-winner.
Press’ second World Cup goal came in 2019, 10 minutes into the semifinal against England. Heath played a through ball down the right flank for fullback Kelley O’Hara, who whipped in a cross toward the far post. The ball floated over four defenders inside the box before Press powered her header into the back of the net past England’s goalkeeper. The U.S. went on to win 2-1, advancing to its third consecutive World Cup Final.
That @kelleymohara, @ChristenPress connection was *chef’s kiss* pic.twitter.com/LkzyGkvSwi
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
Capping off an incredible year, Press became the 12th player in U.S. history to record 50 international goals after scoring in the 3-2 win against Sweden on Nov. 7, 2019. After Heath intercepted a pass, forward Carli Lloyd jumped on the loose ball and played Press into space. Press made a move past two defenders before sending a low shot off the outstretched leg of Sweden’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the second goal of the match.
Not only did we get that classic @ChristenPress speed 💨 and epic moves ⚡️on this, but it also marked her 50th international goal so overall we are blessed. pic.twitter.com/JCTs6c08ZE
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 8, 2019