The year 2025 has been an eventful one for Christen Press, the star forward of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). After signing a year-long contract extension with Angel City, her return to the field was eagerly awaited by fans and supporters alike. However, much to their surprise, the seasoned player has only played in three out of six games so far, and her total playing time does not even amount to the first half of a typical match. This has raised questions and concerns among fans and even her own manager about the management of Angel City and Press’s health status.
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room – Christen Press’s limited playing time. As a veteran player with years of experience and a vital part of the USWNT, it’s natural for fans to expect her to be on the field for a significant amount of time. However, it’s important to note that Press had been dealing with a knee injury before signing her contract extension with Angel City. In fact, she had to undergo surgery and was out of action for a considerable amount of time. It’s commendable that she has made a comeback so soon, but it’s also crucial to manage her playing time carefully to avoid any further injuries.
In addition, the USWNT has a busy schedule this year, with several major tournaments lined up. This means that the players need to be strategically rotated to avoid burnout and injuries. Press’s reduced playing time could also be a part of this rotation plan, which would be in the best interest of the team and the player herself. As much as we want to see her on the field for the entire duration of the match, we must also consider the bigger picture and the long-term well-being of the player.
But, despite this, fans and even Press’s manager have raised concerns about the management of Angel City, which is a new team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). There have been questions about the team’s training regime, medical staff, and recovery protocols. Some have even gone as far as to suggest that the team is not giving enough importance to the players’ physical and mental health. These are serious allegations, and it’s important for the management of Angel City to address them.
However, let’s not forget that Angel City is still a new team, and they are still finding their footing in the league. It takes time to build a strong team and establish effective management strategies. It’s unfair to judge them based on a few games and speculate about their management style. Moreover, Press’s injury and limited playing time could also be a result of her personal decisions and not necessarily the team’s mismanagement.
In a recent interview, Press’s manager, Miriam Soliman, cleared the air about her health status and the team’s management. She stated that Press is in great shape and is recovering well from her injury. The team is taking all necessary precautions to ensure her full recovery and are closely monitoring her playing time. Soliman also addressed the concerns raised by fans and stated that the team’s management is focused on the players’ well-being and is continuously striving to improve their protocols.
It’s also worth mentioning that Angel City has a diverse and experienced management team, including former USWNT player and coach, Abby Wambach. With such knowledgeable and accomplished individuals at the helm, it’s highly unlikely that the team would neglect the players’ health and safety. As they continue to grow and evolve, we can expect the team to make necessary adjustments and improvements to their management style.
In conclusion, while it’s understandable for fans to be concerned about Christen Press’s limited playing time and question the management of Angel City, it’s important to consider all factors before jumping to conclusions. Press’s injury and the team’s busy schedule could be reasons for her reduced playing time, and it’s unfair to blame the team’s management without concrete evidence. Let’s have faith in Angel City’s management and give them time to establish themselves in the league. As for Press, we can rest assured that she is in good hands and will be back on the field, giving her best, for the USWNT and Angel City in the upcoming games.