LOS ANGELES — Ali Riley and Christen Press will forever have a place in the history books as a couple of firsts for Angel City Football Club.
Riley, who attended Harvard-Westlake High and then onto Stanford, where she graduated in 2009, returned home for the 2022 NWSL season and was selected as Angel City’s first captain.
Press attended Chadwick High and also Stanford, graduating in 2010, ahead of the inaugural season. Angel City acquired her playing rights in a trade with Racing Louisville FC and would make Press the club’s first-ever player signed.
Sunday, both local products hit the field at BMO Stadium for one final time in front of the home fans in the last home game of the regular season. Both players announced that this will be their last season and are retiring.
Riley and Press were roommates at Stanford in 2007 and again this season with Angel City.
After the 2-0 loss against the Portland Thorns, both players were recognized with a postgame ceremony. The Thorns remained out on the field during the ceremonies.
“Our history starts with you,” Angel City president and co-founder Julie Uhrman said of Press during the postgame ceremony. “As an L.A. native, you’ve always carried our hope, resilience and pride to wherever you played.”
Press suffered an ACL injury in June of 2022, and after four surgeries and more than two years away from the game, she finally returned in August of 2024.
“This sport has grown and blossomed in my 14 years as a professional,” Press told the crowd. “This community and club marks all of the work my teammates (with the USWNT) and I did over a decade to fight for equity, progress and opportunity for the next generation.
“To the young people, when I was your age, I didn’t come get to come to games like this, and I hope in some small way, the work that we did allows you to dream your wildest dreams.”
Press came on as a second-half sub in the 60th minute, and in the 63rd, she got her first shot off, spinning away from a defender in the box. Her attempt was secured by Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
“It was a really long journey,” Press said. “Thank you for making me feel like the most loved player in the whole world.”
Riley made her return in the 82nd minute. Current captain Sarah Gorden handed the captain’s armband back to the club’s first captain for the duration of the game.
Riley spent most of the 2024 season on the season-ending injury list due to a nerve issue with her leg. She made just five appearances last season, but she finally made her way off the list this past July.
Uhrman called Riley the “heart of Angel City.”
Riley thanked the fans for welcoming her home “with open arms.” Riley also thanked the Angel City medical and training staff who helped get her back to health and on the soccer field.
“It’s always been about the people to me, and you made it worth it to come back to say goodbye,” Riley said to Angel City teammates. “As I look around, this is truly a city of angels.”
On the field, Angel City’s playoff hopes took a big blow earlier in the day with Racing Louisville FC’s 2-2 draw against Gotham FC. Portland’s Olivia Moultrie applied the knockout blow with a two-goal performance.
Angel City will conclude the regular season Nov. 2 on the road against the Chicago Stars.