Christen Press

Christen Press – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the inspiring journey of Christen Press — from youth soccer in California to global football stardom. Dive into her biography, achievements, legacy, and motivational quotes.

Introduction

Christen Annemarie Press (born December 29, 1988) is an American professional soccer forward, entrepreneur, and journalist. United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) with distinction, contributed to World Cup victories, and helped redefine the modern forward’s role in women’s soccer.

Her story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and leadership on and off the pitch. As someone who has faced challenges, injuries, and transitions, Press’s legacy is not only in goals but in character, advocacy, and influence.

Early Life & Background

Press was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Palos Verdes Estates. Cody and Stacy Press, were both athletic: Cody played American football at Dartmouth, and Stacy competed in tennis.

From the age of five, she began playing soccer. She attended Chadwick School, where she was a standout performer — scoring 128 goals over her high school career and earning multiple honors as an All-American and MVP.

Press played club soccer for Slammers FC and was prolific in youth competitions, winning domestic scoring awards.

She then attended Stanford University (2007–2010), where she left as the program’s all-time leading goalscorer (71 goals) and winner of the Hermann Trophy in 2010 (the top collegiate player award in U.S. women’s soccer).

Club Career & International Success

Club Career

• After Stanford, Press was selected 4th overall in the 2011 WPS Draft by Washington Freedom (later became magicJack). She scored her first professional hat trick in a match that year and was named WPS Rookie of the Year.

• After WPS folded, she moved to Sweden, playing for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and later Tyresö FF. In 2013, she became Damallsvenskan’s top scorer with 23 goals — the first American to win that Golden Boot.

• She returned to the U.S. to play for Chicago Red Stars (2014–2017), where she was one of the league’s leading forwards.

• In later years, she played for Utah Royals FC, Manchester United Women, and Angel City FC in the NWSL.

• In January 2025, she re-signed with Angel City FC for another year.

Throughout her club career, Press has shown the ability to adapt across leagues, styles, and roles, sustaining high performance across continents.

International Career & Achievements

• Press made her senior U.S. debut on February 9, 2013, scoring two goals and adding an assist in that match vs. Scotland.

• She has earned 155 caps for the USWNT, scoring 64 goals, making her one of the top goal scorers in women's national team history.

• She was part of the U.S. squads that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019.

• Press has also participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the U.S. won a bronze medal.

Her international career has been marked by consistency, leadership, and scoring in crucial moments.

Philosophy, Advocacy & Off-Field Ventures

• Beyond her on-field success, Press is co-founder (along with Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, and Meghan Klingenberg) of RE—INC, a gender inclusive, lifestyle brand.

• She also co-hosts The RE—CAP Show podcast with Tobin Heath.

• Press has been involved with Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit that uses soccer to educate and mentor youth in health issues. She is a global ambassador and board member.

• Her public stances include speaking out about mental health, player rights, and equality in sports.

Her life shows that being an athlete today is as much about voice, influence, and legacy as about competition.

Famous Quotes

Here are some notable quotes from Christen Press:

“At the end of the day in our sport, you just have to sacrifice yourself completely to put the team first. … that’s the most important thing when it comes to World Championships.” “There’s a lot that’s out of your control. But the one thing that you can control is your work ethic.” “The tremendous honor of playing on the world stage is even more rewarding when I am able to use my accomplishments to help others.” “For a long time growing up, I thought that everything happens for a reason … I think that the most important moment is the one that you’re in, and that’s the only moment that matters, that you can really control.” “I kind of felt like I was never good enough. I always wanted more.” “The hardest thing to do is to fail and keep pushing at the same time.”

These resonate with themes of agency, purpose, resilience, and humility.

Lessons from Christen Press

1. Control what you can, let go of what you can’t. Press frequently emphasizes that focusing on effort and mindset matters more than external outcomes.

2. Sacrifice for the collective. Greatness often demands putting the team ahead of individual comfort.

3. Reinvent and persist. Press has moved across leagues and overcome injuries; adaptability is essential in a long career.

4. Use platform responsibly. Her advocacy, brand building, and public voice amplify impact beyond goals and trophies.

5. Gratitude and humility. Despite her achievements, she speaks candidly about doubt, failure, and growth.

6. Live in the moment. Her reflections reinforce the importance of presence amid distractions.

Conclusion

Christen Press’s journey— from youth soccer in California to global acclaim— is inspiring not just for her goals and victories, but for her character: resilience, voice, heart, and purpose. She exemplifies how modern athletes are architects not only of their athletic legacy, but of the stories, causes, and communities they lift.

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