USWNT star Christen Press first player to sign with Angel City FC
USWNT star Christen Press becomes first player to sign with Angel City FC. She was born and raised in Southern California, a region that has known just one season of top-tier women’s professional soccer. So she played in Florida and Sweden, Utah and England. Everywhere but home.
“The dream of being a pro player in L.A. was always elusive for me,” Press said. “Every team that I’ve played for has always been like, ‘You know, when L.A. gets a team, we promise we’ll send you there.’ And it always felt everyone’s been able to say that because no one knew when it was happening.”
More than just a jersey. More than just hydration. BioSteel. Clean. Healthy. Hydration. #ItsJustTheTruth pic.twitter.com/AYOE0MAUxi
— Christen Press (@ChristenPress) July 30, 2021
That uncertainty ended Monday when Angel City FC, Southern California’s fledgling NWSL franchise, made Press not only the first signing in club history but the best-paid player in league history as well. Although the club declined to discuss the details of Press’ contract, sources with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed it is for three seasons and slightly more than $700,000.
In the past, U.S. Soccer subsidized NWSL contracts for national team players, but Press’ contract will be paid by Angel City. To acquire the rights to sign the two-time World Cup champion, Angel City sent its first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL draft, $75,000 in allocation money and roster protection in the expansion draft to first-year team Racing Louisville FC.
The confirmation of Press’ signing came just hours after Angel City announced it made Freya Coombe, currently the manager of NJ/NY Gotham FC, its first coach.
“For it to really be happening, to be able to bring professional soccer back to Los Angeles and to be a part of that team, is nothing but a dream come true,” said Press, who remembers watching the Los Angeles Sol before it disbanded in 2010. “A dream that didn’t even feel possible for the majority of my career.”
Press, who will be 33 when Angel City debuts next year, played for Manchester United of the Women’s Super League last spring. She also played for two clubs in Sweden, two clubs in NWSL and spent one season in the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer, the league the Sol played in.
