Riley Shares What It Means to Lead From the Front

Name: Ali Riley Angel City Football Club

Credit: Angel City Football Club

Job Title: Team Captain and Defender for Angel City FC
Resident of: Los Angeles
Local Living: LA Native

Angel City Football Club

First discovered her passion for soccer at age four. As an only child, soccer was an important social outlet growing up. “For the first probably four years, I tried to schedule playdates at soccer,” says Riley. “I tried so many different sports, but the team aspect is really what drew me in.”

Credit: Angel City Football Club

Team, community and family have been significant parts of the LA native’s career. Since going pro in 2010, Riley has played for football clubs around the world and represented New Zealand in the World Cup and Olympics. She still loves the game and now uses her voice to make an impact off the pitch. Riley knows her influence matters—and she’s using it to make a difference both in sports and beyond.

Credit: Angel City Football Club

Credit: Angel City Football Club

Riley speaks out on issues that matter to her, including female empowerment and her experience as an Asian American. She also uses her voice to address gender equity in sports and the challenges faced during the pandemic. “I’m seeing the impact I can make using my platform, and that has been built through soccer. I still love game day…but I also realize I can do a lot more than [play],” describes Riley. “I really want to continue to use my voice to make positive change, share stories and hopefully open people’s eyes to new perspectives [and] encourage more equality and kindness.”

“This is a team that has a brand, vision and a goal that is so important and goes beyond soccer…”—Ali Riley Angel City Football Club

As team captain of Angel City FC in the NWSL, Riley feels even more driven to create change in her hometown. She’s inspired by teammates, founders, and staff who share her passion for social impact and community connection. Together, they’re building something bigger than soccer—something that truly matters beyond the field.

“This is a team that has a brand, vision and a goal that is so important and goes beyond soccer…” remarks Riley. “We have so much representation [at Angel City], which can inspire so many young girls not necessarily to play soccer, but to follow their dreams [since] that’s what we are all doing.”