One of the most decorated players to represent the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) has called time on her professional career.
Two-time World Cup winner and Angel City forward Christen Press announced on Wednesday (October 15) that she would hang up her boots when the current National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season ends.
Press was an integral part of the USWNT between 2013-2021, as she netted 64 goals in 155 caps for the side.
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She scored in both of the national team's triumphant World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2019, including in a semi-final win over England in Lyon six years ago.
The USWNT great also collected a bronze medal while representing her country at the 2020 Olympic football tournament in Japan.
While the former Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals forward has spent most of her professional playing career in the US, she also had spells in Europe with Kopparbergs/Göteborg and Manchester United.
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The past few years have proved to be challenging for the forward, as she suffered an ACL injury in 2022 which kept her out of competitive action for two years.
Press on her retirement from playing
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Press went into detail over her retirement decision when she made the announcement in an exclusive interview with Good Morning America on Wednesday.
"I've decided that this is my last season. I feel a mix of everything. There's relief, there's joy, there's excitement, there's fear. I have so much grief, a part of me, a piece of me, I'm losing her."
The 36-year-old then stressed the importance for her of bowing out of the game at the right time.
"I thought I would wait until I didn't want to play anymore. But I realised that time's never going to come."
"I think it was really important for me to make this decision for myself before that became a different reality," the USWNT icon explained.
With Angel City set to miss out on a NWSL playoffs spot this season, Press' last matches are set to take place at home against Portland Thorns on Sunday (October 19) and away to Chicago Stars on November 2.
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