Ever wondered what the most crucial thing in an athlete’s career is? Sure, hard work, dedication, and commitment are the core fundamentals for shaping the success they seek. But more importantly, there’s often a deeper reason—a driving force that keeps them moving forward. It could be personal, done for someone else, or tied to the recognition they desire. For Christen Press, it may be all of these. But deep down, she knows it’s been her relationship with the soccer community that has truly kept her in the game.

The women’s game already struggles to receive the recognition it truly deserves, often being treated as an afterthought. On top of that, USWNT veteran Christen Press not only plays in this underappreciated side of the sport but also proudly represents the LGBTQ+ community—another space that has long faced its own challenges.

Yet, despite being part of both these often-overlooked groups, Press remains deeply grateful for the small but significant support she continues to receive from her fanbase.

“I always ask you, why do you think I feel so connected to the fans?” asked the Angel City forward from her significant other and fellow podcast host, Tobin Heath, on the latest episode of the RE—INC show. “Part of it’s like, I’m old. I have been doing this for a long time. People saw me when I had a pie face. They’ve grown up with me.”

“But part of that was growing up with us. And part of that was that such an important part of this community is queer, and they do need to see stories,” added the 36-year-old. “And though it’s not fair, and though we were reluctant representation for a long time, we also have gotten so much from the community that supports us that we never expected.”

Press knows that it’s more than just her soccer journey that has helped her retain a strong connection with the fans. They are the ones who have seen her from the start, so it’s practically a fact that she has grown together with them. The growing love and support also changed Heath and Press’ perspective on a very important aspect of their lives.

“Growing up, we both thought that there would only be consequences of being gay. But in our job, company, and brand, there is a huge reward of love, celebration, and joy that we get to receive as a couple. I’m really grateful for that,” concluded Christen Press.

Clearly, the connection that she and Tobin have built with supporters from both the soccer and queer communities is something they find deeply meaningful and truly rewarding. Even so, who would have thought that their devoted fans would play such a crucial role in nearly every aspect of their lives? No wonder both are now on a mission to change lives.

How are Christen Press and Tobin Heath refining their community for the best?

Although Tobin Heath isn’t officially retired, she hasn’t played since the 2022 NWSL season. Meanwhile, Christen Press is also in the final days of her career. That being said, their impact off the field remains as strong as ever. Back in 2019, they launched RE-INC, a global sports media brand alongside former USWNT teammates Megan Rapinoe and Meghan Klingenberg.

According to the two, this move is based on having “reimagined the status quo, social progress, and the landscape of sports media.” Simply put, it’s all about uplifting the very community that has given them so much throughout the decades of their individual careers, while also eliminating the problems associated with it.

Part of what the organization does is design clothes for the diversity they stand for. And that’s not all, they do that by employing sustainable methods, collaborating with entities that harbor a strong commitment towards ethical practices. Their podcast, which is aimed at giving a “front-row seat to the thrilling, unpredictable, hard-charging world of elite global women’s soccer” has over fifty thousand subscribers on YouTube and was declared the winner of the 2024 Best Equality and Social Impact Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards.

No wonder that over the years, they have successfully managed to redesign the media landscape for women’s sports, while also cultivating rightful opportunities, not just for monetary purposes, but to give back to the community that has showered them with love and support.