Ali Riley

Alexandra Lowe Riley (born 30 October 1987) is an American-born New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a defender for Angel City of the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), as well as the New Zealand women's national football team.[4] She captains both her club and national teams. As a collegiate athlete, she captained the Stanford soccer team to two NCAA semi-finals and one final.

Ali Riley
Ali Riley in 2019
Personal information
Full name Alexandra Lowe Riley[1]
Date of birth (1987-10-30) 30 October 1987[1]
Place of birth Los Angeles, California, U.S.[2]
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Angel City
Number 5
Youth career
1998–2004 Westside Breakers
2004–2006 Real So Cal
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Stanford Cardinal 83 (7)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Pali Blues 7 (0)
2010 FC Gold Pride 23 (0)
2011 Western New York Flash 15 (0)
2012–2018 Rosengård 132 (4)
2018–2019 Chelsea 9 (0)
2019–2020 Bayern Munich 3 (0)
2020–2021 Orlando Pride 20 (0)
2020 → Rosengård (loan) 17 (1)
2022– Angel City 33 (2)
International career‡
2006 New Zealand U20 11 (5)
2007– New Zealand 155[3] (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 July 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 July 2023

Early life

Born in Los Angeles, California to parents John Graham Riley and Beverly Fong Lowe, Riley attended St. Matthew's Parish School in Pacific Palisades and Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood, California. She was named captain of the soccer team during her senior season and was a two-time Mission League Offensive MVP as well as a two-time first-team San Fernando Valley selection. As a senior, she helped lead the Wolverines to the 2006 Southern Section Division I final and was named to the All-CIF Southern Section Division I first team. Riley also competed for local soccer clubs LA Breakers FC [5](formerly Westside Breakers) and Real SoCal (formerly SoCal United).[6]

Stanford University

Riley attended Stanford University and played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2006 to 2009. During her freshman year, she started in fifteen of the eighteen matches she played. She played forward and scored four goals with two assists. As a sophomore, she played sixteen games and started in fourteen of them. She scored two goals and had two assists. During her junior year, Riley converted from her position at forward to an outside back and she has played almost exclusively at left or right full-back ever since, As a senior, Riley started in each of the twenty-four games and scored one goal with one assist.[6]

Club career

FC Gold Pride

In January 2010, Riley was selected as the tenth pick in the first round of the 2010 WPS Draft by FC Gold Pride. While she played on her natural right wing-back position for the NZ Women's National Team, she played professionally as a left wing-back and had three assists in the 2010 run to the WPS championship by FC Gold Pride. Riley won the WPS Rookie of the Year award.

Western New York Flash

Riley signed for Western New York Flash for the 2011 season becoming a free agent after FC Gold Pride failed to find financial backers.[7]

In the 2011 season Riley was a finalist for Defender of the year as the Flash swept both the league season title and then won the 2011 WPS Championship.

In 2012, Riley re-signed with Western New York Flash for the 2012 season, however, the league folded before play began.

LdB FC Malmö/FC Rosengård

With the suspension of the WPS, she signed in 2012 with LdB FC Malmö, 2011 Swedish League Champions. In her first game, (the Super Cupen) she assisted on the winning goal. She played her first full season in the Damallsvenskan in 2013. With LdB FC Malmö she finished top of the table.

In September 2013 Riley re-signed with LdB FC Malmö (since December 2013 renamed FC Rosengård) for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. FC Rosengård again won gold in the Damallsvenskan.

In March 2015 she played both at full-back and forward in her second Super Cupen victory with Rosengård. In September 2015 she re-signed with Rosengård. The team went on to win the Damallsvenskan for the third straight year earning Riley earned her fifth league championship in her eight-year career.

Chelsea

On 26 June 2018, it was announced that Riley would be leaving Rosengård in July to join Chelsea in the English FA Women's Super League.[8]

Bayern Munich

On 18 July 2019, Riley moved to Bayern Munich of the Frauen-Bundesliga.[9]

Orlando Pride

On 10 February 2020, Ali Riley returned to the US and signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year for the Orlando Pride.[10][11] The season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic with the NWSL eventually scheduling a smaller schedule 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.[12][13] However, on 22 June 2020, the team withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[14]

Loan to FC Rosengård

On 13 July 2020, having been unable to feature for the Pride, Riley returned to Sweden to be with her partner during the pandemic and rejoined Rosengård on loan.[15]

Angel City FC

On 27 January 2022, Riley was traded to Angel City FC in exchange for $15,000 in allocation money and a third-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. As a result of the trade, she was able to play in her hometown for the first time in her career.[16]

International career
Riley playing for New Zealand in May 2011

Being US-born to a New Zealand father, Riley represented New Zealand at the 2006 Women's U-20 World Cup finals.[17] She made her senior debut in a 5–0 loss to Australia on 6 February 2007,[18] and represented New Zealand at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China,[19] where they lost 5–0 to Brazil, 2–0 to Denmark and 2–0 to China.[20]

Riley also played every minute for the New Zealand squad in the 2008 Summer Olympics where they drew with Japan (2–2) before losing to Norway (1–0) and the United States (4–0).[21] Riley's first international goal was scored in the final of the OFC Women's Nations Cup as New Zealand qualified for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup with an 11–0 win over Papua New Guinea. [22]

On 27 June 2011, Riley earned her 50th A-international cap in a 2–1 loss to Japan in New Zealand's opening group stage match at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.[23] In the final seconds of extra time in the match v. Mexico she assisted on the tying goal that gave the Football Ferns their first point in a World Cup group stage.

In the 2012 Olympics Riley played every minute of the Football Ferns' four games. In the preliminary round games the Ferns lost 1–0 to Great Britain and Brazil and beat Cameroon 3–1. This was the first victory by a NZ football team in the Olympics. With the victory the Ferns advanced to the second round based on goal differential. In the quarter-final the Ferns played the USA losing 2–0.

In 2013 Riley started for New Zealand in a series of games establishing the Football Ferns as a growing force in international competition. The Ferns won the Vallais Cup beating #4 Brazil 1–0 and #16 China 4–0 and also had ties playing #10 Australia, #3 Japan and #1 USA.

She featured in all New Zealand's three matches at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.[24]

In the 2016 Rio Olympics Riley played every minute of the Football Ferns' three games. The Ferns lost 2–0 to USA, 3–0 to France and beat Colombia 1–0.

Riley has been the captain of the Football Ferns since the 2017 Cyprus Cup.

In April 2019, Riley was named to the final 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[25]

On 20 July 2023, Riley captained New Zealand in the country's first World Cup victory ever. In the opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, New Zealand beat Norway 1-0.[26]

Media
Kelley O'Hara and Riley host the Just Women's Sports pregame show before the 2022 NWSL Championship.

In 2021 Riley started hosting an Off the Ball show for sports website Just Women's Sports.[27][28]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 23 July 2023.[29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental[lower-alpha 2] Other[lower-alpha 3] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Pali Blues 2009 USL W-League 70——30100
FC Gold Pride 2010 WPS 230——10240
Western New York Flash 2011 150——10160
Total 450——50500
Rosengård 2012 Damallsvenskan 190105010260
2013 201—30—231
2014 191—60—251
2015 211506010331
2016 220406010330
2017 2115040—301
2018 10050——150
Total 1324200300301854
Chelsea 2018–19 FA WSL 90102042162
Bayern Munich 2019–20 Bundesliga 301030—70
Orlando Pride 2020[lower-alpha 4] NWSL —————
2021 20040——240
Total 320605042472
Rosengård (loan) 2020 Damallsvenskan 17110——181
Angel City FC 2022 NWSL 20260——262
2023 13040——170
Career total 25973703501223439
  1. Includes the Svenska Cupen, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. Includes the UEFA Champions League
  3. Includes the USL W-League playoffs, WPS playoffs, Svenska Supercupen, FA League Cup
  4. The 2020 Season ended up cancelled due to Covid-19 and Riley didn't take part in the NWSL Challenge Cup before leaving for Sweden

International goals
New Zealand score listed first, score column indicates score after each Riley goal.
International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 8 October 2010 North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand  Papua New Guinea 1–0 11–0 2010 OFC Championship [30]
2 6 September 2022 Titan Stadium, Fullerton  Philippines 2–1 2–1 Friendly

Honours

Club

FC Gold Pride

Western New York Flash

FC Rosengård (formerly LdB FC Malmö)

International

New Zealand

Individual

International

  • Nike Junior Women's Player of the Year 2006
  • Nike National Women's Player of the Year 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Oceania Football Confederation Women's Player of the Year 2009, 2010
  • FIFPRO World XI short-list (55 players): 2016, 2017[31]
  • IFFHS OFC Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020[32]

Club

  • WPS Rookie of the Year: 2010
  • WPS All Pro selection (First XI): 2010, 2011[33]
  • Damallsvenskan All Star Selection (First XI): 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

College

  • All-Pac-10 freshman first team: 2006
  • TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season: 2009
  • All-Pacific Region first team: 2009
  • All-Pac-10 first team: 2009
  • Pac-10 women's soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year: 2009
  • Stanford University, Pat Strathairn Best Competitive Athlete Award: 2010

References
  1. "List of Players – 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. "NZ Football – HOME". www.nzfootball.co.nz.
  3. "Football Ferns squad revealed for World Cup". The New Zealand Herald. 29 April 2019.
  4. "Caps 'n' Goals, New Zealand Women's national representatives". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  5. "LA Breakers FC".
  6. "Ali Riley player profile". Stanford University. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  7. "Western New York snaps up Riley". NZ Football. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  8. "Ali Riley: Chelsea Women to sign New Zealand defender from FC Rosengard". 26 June 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  9. "CHELSEA WOMEN DEPARTURE AS ALI RILEY MOVES TO BAYERN MUNICH". Chelsea FC. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  10. "Orlando Pride Signs New Zealand Women's National Team Defender Ali Riley". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  11. Rosen, Haley (10 February 2020), Ali Riley talks her return to the US, Just Women's Sports
  12. "NWSL, CPL delay start of 2020 seasons due to Covid-19". SportBusiness. 21 March 2020.
  13. "NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  14. "Orlando Pride Statement Regarding 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Participation". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  15. "Orlando Pride Defender Ali Riley Loaned to FC Rosengård". Orlando City SC. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  16. "Orlando Pride Acquire 2023 Draft Pick, Allocation Money from Angel City FC". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  17. "Sixty seconds with: Ali Riley". Herald on Sunday. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  18. "Caps 'n' Goals, New Zealand Women's national representatives". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  19. "New Zealand Squad List, 2007 Women's World Cup". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 July 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  20. "Tournament Statistics – New Zealand". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 July 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  21. "Olympic Football Squads Named". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 4 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  22. "Football Ferns reach World Cup in style". NZFootball.com. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  23. "Football Ferns move on". Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  24. "FIFA player's stats". FIFA. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  25. "Football Ferns squad revealed for World Cup". 28 April 2019 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  26. McIntyre, Doug (20 July 2023). "New Zealand makes history with country's first World Cup victory ever". Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  27. Hruby, Emma (28 June 2022). "Off the Ball with Ali Riley launches third season with new flavor". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  28. Louie, Jesse (8 April 2021). "Off the Ball with Ali Riley, Ep 1: Marta Magic". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  29. "Ali Riley player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  30. "OFC 2010 final New Zealand 11 – 0 Papua New Guinea". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  31. "FIFPRO 2017 Voting on World Best XI".
  32. "IFFHS WOMAN TEAM – OFC – OF THE DECADE 2011–2020". IFFHS. 31 January 2021.
  33. "WPS announces best XI of 2011". WPS. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
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