Saturday night at BMO Stadium was a rollercoaster for Angel City Football Club and their passionate fans. The electric atmosphere, with 16,738 supporters packing the stands, couldn’t quite propel the team to victory against Racing Louisville FC. Trailing twice, including a daunting two-goal deficit just before the hour mark, Angel City showed grit. A pivotal moment came when Madison Hammond was fouled during a corner kick, earning a penalty. Alyssa Thompson calmly converted, and Louisville’s Kaya Fischer saw red, leaving her team a player down. But despite their advantage, the scoreboard stayed stubbornly stuck at 3-2 in Louisville’s favor, leaving Angel City (4-4-2, 14 points) with a bitter loss. As if this weren’t sad enough news for the fans, now Angel City’s star forward Christen Press has revealed a concerning health update.

The drama didn’t end there. In the 84th minute, a potential game-changer—an apparent handball by a Louisville player—sparked hope. The crowd erupted, chanting “V-A-R” as replays flashed on the videoboard, but the referee didn’t review the play, ruling it didn’t meet handball criteria. The fans’ frustration echoed through the stadium, a collective plea for justice that went unanswered.

Post-match, the spotlight shifted to Angel City’s star forward, Christen Press, who dropped a surprising update on Instagram. “I personally wasn’t at 100% for the match last night,” she shared. “Had been dealing with a small muscle injury and did what I could to be available as much as I can for the team.”

For fans, this was a gut punch. The USWNT veteran, who signed a year-long contract extension after battling back from a long-term ACL injury, has been a beacon of hope. Her limited appearances—five off the bench in the last eight games—have made every moment she’s on the pitch precious. Just last week, Press reminded everyone of her magic, coming off the bench to score her first goal of the season, breaking the deadlock for Angel City.

But her start against Bay FC earlier this season showed the challenges she’s faced. Making the starting XI for the first time in nine matches, Press couldn’t find her rhythm. Angel City conceded two goals in the first half, and Press was substituted in the 67th minute. The 2-0 loss left the team languishing in seventh place with 11 points. Her recent muscle injury only adds to the concern, though there’s cautious optimism it won’t sideline her for long.

Press’s resilience is undeniable, and fans are clinging to hope that she’ll be back to her dynamic self for the next match. For now, Angel City regroups, carrying the sting of defeat but fueled by the promise of their star’s return.

Christen Press cheers on LA Sparks amid hectic NWSL grind

The NWSL schedule is no joke. With all 14 teams battling it out week after week, it’s like you blink, and boom—matchday’s back. You can only imagine how wiped out the players must feel, grinding through training all week and then pouring it all out on the pitch every weekend. But Christen Press? She’s out here making it look easy, juggling her soccer superstar life while still carving out time to show love for another sport.

Recently, the USWNT icon popped up courtside at a WNBA game, cheering on the LA Sparks alongside some serious A-listers like Magic Johnson. The Sparks may have taken a tough 75-89 loss to the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena, but the vibe in the front row was anything but defeated.

The Sparks’ Instagram lit up with a post flaunting their star-studded “Celeb Row,” and let’s just say it was a mood. Christen was there with her partner, former USWNT star Tobin Heath, both flashing big smiles and soaking in the moment. The crew was rounded out by comedy queens Jessica Williams—repping her LA roots—and Leslie Jones, who brought their signature energy with thumbs-ups and grins for the camera.

Honestly, you’ve gotta tip your hat to Press for making the time. Between the non-stop NWSL hustle and her off-field commitments, sneaking in a courtside break is well-earned. That’s the kind of balance we all aspire to. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about showing love for the game—any game—and bringing that same passion she has on the field to the stands. Here’s to hoping she got a chance to kick back, soak in the electric atmosphere, and maybe even snag a few pointers from Magic himself.