Ali Riley is a distinguished professional footballer who has made significant contributions to women’s soccer both at the club and international levels. Her career began at Stanford University, where she captained the Stanford Cardinal soccer team, leading them to two NCAA semi-finals and one final. Her collegiate success laid the foundation for her professional journey, which commenced when she was selected as the tenth pick in the 2010 WPS Draft by FC Gold Pride. During her time with the team, she played a pivotal role in their championship victory, earning the WPS Rookie of the Year award.

Following her tenure with FC Gold Pride, Riley joined the Western New York Flash, where she was a finalist for Defender of the Year and contributed to the team’s league title and championship win in 2011. With the folding of the WPS, she transitioned to LdB FC Malmö (now FC Rosengård) in Sweden, where she enjoyed remarkable success, winning multiple Damallsvenskan titles and establishing herself as a key player in the league.

Riley’s international career is equally impressive. She has represented New Zealand in multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games, serving as captain of the national team since 2017. Notably, she led the Football Ferns to their historic first World Cup victory in 2023. Currently, she plays for Angel City FC in the NWSL, where she continues to showcase her leadership and skill on the field. Riley’s dedication to the sport and her advocacy for women’s soccer make her a prominent figure in the game.