The USWNT is already approaching the CONCACAF W Championship without rising star Catarina Macario (knee) and the explosive Lynn Williams (hip), but another big name might be added to the list of injury casualties at forward after Christen Press was forced off in the 66th-minute of Angel City's 3-2 win over Racing Louisville in NWSL action Saturday.
The 33-year-old was at her best during her time on the pitch, including an impressive run and finish in the 36th-minute for her second goal of the season.
⬅️ From one end to the other ⬅️@ChristenPress pulls @weareangelcity level in Louisville!#AngelCityFC | #LOUvLA pic.twitter.com/CxpsemeGVb
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 12, 2022
Early in the second half, Press then provided an excellent assist for Savannah McCaskill.
.@ChristenPress cooks it up @smccaskill_7 gets it over the line ⚽️@weareangelcity gets in front just 67 seconds into the second half!#LOUvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/ZyZ8WDHy1O
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 12, 2022
But then came the apparent knee injury after an awkward twist on the edge of Louisville's area.
Christen Press helped off the pitch after an apparent knee injury. pic.twitter.com/FdSO4RTPx3
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) June 12, 2022
"I haven't had that update. I need to go in with (our medical team) and see how she's doing," Angel City manager Freya Coombe said after the match.
"(We're) hoping and praying that she's going to be okay, and (the injury) is nothing major," McCaskill added.
Press was one of 18 forwards named to manager Vlatko Andonovski's 59-player list for the CONCACAF W Championship. That list will be narrowed to 23 as the USWNT approaches a pair of friendlies against Colombia at the end of June before departing for the tournament in Mexico.
The U.S. certainly has depth at forward with Alex Morgan, Ashley Hatch, Mallory Pugh and Sophia Smith all scoring regularly to start the 2022 NWSL season.