Angel City’s inaugural captain Ali Riley set to retire at end of season

Ali Riley’s professional soccer career brought her home when she joined Angel City Football Club ahead of its inaugural season in 2022.

“I was at a point in my career, I was not guaranteed any playing time when I came here,” Riley said. “I was actually told I might not get much playing time.”

Riley, a Palisades native and Harvard-Westlake High graduate, was named the club’s first captain and was able to play in front of family and friends for the first time in a long time.

“I have been given so much from my parents and from people who believed in me,” she said.

Riley, will now call an end to her career, announcing her retirement, effective at the end of the 2025 NWSL season. Including Monday’s game against the Kansas City Current, Angel City has four games remaining. The game is also the start of three consecutive home games, setting the stage for one final Riley appearance.

“It was difficult (decision to make) because I love this game and I have loved it for so much of my career,” she said. “I want to play more games for Angel City and for New Zealand. These teams mean so much to me.

“It is difficult and sad knowing that I won’t be able to do that anymore, that I’m stepping away from the game, but in terms of the actual decision and the timing, that was very easy.”

Riley’s career included the WPS, then time in Europe in Sweden, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. She returned to the U.S. with the Orlando Pride. Her international career started in 2006 with the New Zealand U-20 team and it evolved into five World Cup appearances.

Riley’s latest challenge has been making it back to the field. In 2023, she played in 19 games. Last year, she made just five appearances and would be added to the season-ending injury list. She finally came off of the list this season and is looking to make her 2025 debut.

“I am so thankful and so proud that I have been able to come back to the game, come back to the field, make the travel roster, and the game day roster,” she said. “What it’s taking for my body to do those things is not something I can’t sustain long term. It went through my head, can I do this for six more months, can I do this for another year?’ The answer is, no.

“I spend the rest of my days just preparing for the next day. While I do love football, there is so much more to life, especially my family and rebuilding our home, spending time with my husband, and hopefully starting a family. Those are all things I want to be able to have energy to do.”

Monday’s game is the first of three consecutive home games for Angel City. It would be a fitting ending if Riley is able to get back on the field in one of them.

“This is the biggest compliment I can give anybody,” Angel City coach Alex Straus said. “Few people make everybody on the roster better and Ali is one of those people.

“Even when she has been at the end of her journey as a professional football player, she has been a very important part of the environment and she comes in and lifts the players and the staff. Even though she’s not been able to do what she loves to do and be on the field, she still has been a very important part of this team and this club.”

KANSAS CITY CURRENT at ANGEL CITY FC

When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: BMO Stadium

How to watch: CBSSN, FDSN SoCal