Angel City FC captain Ali Riley to retire at end of season

Angel City FC captain Ali Riley announced Tuesday that she will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season.

Riley, who turns 38 in October, has been dealing with injuries for much of the last two years. A chronic nerve injury forced her to miss the 2024 Olympics for New Zealand and delayed the start of her season until August.

"Getting myself back on the field was my singular goal after my injury last year, and I am so proud to have achieved that," Riley said in a statement.

"Being on the pitch every day, supporting my teammates, pushing my teammates, showing up in the way I know I can has been amazing."

Although born in Los Angeles, Riley represented her father's home country of New Zealand at five World Cups and four Olympics.

She helped the FC Gold Pride win a championship in the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer. After that club folded, she joined the Western New York Flash and aided that squad to a title.

Riley spent several years in Europe before joining the Orlando Pride in 2020 and Angel City two years later.

"I know that I have truly given my all, both physically and emotionally," Riley said. "As a player, I strived to be the best teammate, a positive influence in the locker room, and compete on the field every day. For my entire career, I never took a day when I got to play soccer for granted."

--Field Level Media