Christen Press exits Angel City game with apparent injury

Christen Press exited Angel City FC’s game against Racing Louisville on Saturday night after an apparent injury.

The star striker was helped off the field in the 64th minute by the club’s trainer and her teammates, with Press in visible pain.

Christen Press helped off the pitch after an apparent knee injury. pic.twitter.com/FdSO4RTPx3

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) June 12, 2022

Angel City coach Freya Coombe did not provide an update on Press’ condition following the match. She told reporters, “I need to go in with (the medical team) and see how she’s doing.”

Before the play on which she seemingly twisting her knee, Press scored a goal and notched an assist for Angel City, helping her side to a 3-2 win over Racing Louisville.

⬅️ From one end to the other ⬅️@ChristenPress pulls @weareangelcity level in Louisville!#AngelCityFC | #LOUvLA pic.twitter.com/CxpsemeGVb

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 12, 2022

Press’s injury has implications for club and country, with the 33-year-old a critical piece of Angel City’s attack and a fixture on the USWNT’s front line.

After being absent from USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski’s last few national team call-ups, Press was named to the preliminary roster for the Concacaf W Championship, with the veteran expected to be on the short list to be called into the USWNT’s June camp.

The USWNT has been plagued by injury as of late, with Catarina Macario out for an extended time with an ACL tear and Lynn Williams recovering from surgery to treat an acute leg injury.

If Press’ injury is severe enough to sideline the star, the USWNT would need to dip into its attacking depth, calling on players such as Midge Purce to join Mallory Pugh, Sophia Smith, Ashley Hatch and Alex Morgan in the forward lineup.

The W Championship is set to kick off in July and serves as qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.