Ali Riley, former captain of the New Zealand women`s national team, has announced her retirement from professional football. The accomplished Angel City FC defender and Stanford University alumna will conclude her illustrious career, which has spanned over a decade with clubs worldwide, at the end of the 2025 NWSL regular season.
Sharing her decision on social media, Riley stated:
“At the end of the 2025 NWSL season, I will be retiring from professional and international football.”
She expressed profound gratitude for her three-decade journey in the sport, acknowledging moments of heartbreak but emphasizing the overwhelming love and joy. Riley highlighted her pride in retiring “on my own terms, in my hometown,” committing her remaining energy to her community and the sport. She extended heartfelt thanks to all who supported her throughout her career, assuring fans that while this chapter closes, her involvement won`t cease.
Riley is widely respected in women`s football, with her influence spanning the United States, New Zealand, and top European clubs. Before turning professional, she excelled at Stanford University, transitioning from forward to fullback. She earned two-time First-Team All-American honors and was a Mac Hermann finalist. In her senior year, she guided Stanford to the NCAA College Cup final and was recognized as Pac-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
After her successful collegiate career, Riley was a first-round pick in the WPS, an early professional women`s soccer league in the U.S. She was named 2010 Rookie of the Year with FC Gold Pride and later secured the WPS Championship with Western New York Flash in 2011.
Following the WPS dissolution, Riley joined FC Rosengard, becoming a key player alongside talents like Caroline Seger, Anja Mittag, and Marta for the emerging European powerhouse. In Sweden, she earned numerous Damallsvenskan titles and established herself as an elite fullback. Her career subsequently led her to Chelsea FC, Bayern Munich, and Vittsjö before her move to the NWSL`s Orlando Pride. Her journey came full circle when she was traded to Angel City FC, returning to her home state on the West Coast.
Throughout her club career, Riley was a constant presence for New Zealand`s Football Ferns. Debuting in 2007, the 37-year-old was a defensive cornerstone, participating in five FIFA Women`s World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020). Recently recovering from a chronic nerve injury that sidelined her from the 2024 Olympics, she was simultaneously honored as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Despite being largely sidelined by injury during the 2025 season, she made a welcome return to the game-day roster in August.
Reflecting on a recent return to the pitch, Riley shared on social media:
“I don`t think I`ll ever be able to describe what tonight meant to me. It holds a different space in my heart than my other favorite football moments.”
She spoke of the profound joy of simply being back in the huddle, passing the ball in warm-ups, and feeling the energy, adding “Plus three points? Pinch me.” She concluded by thanking everyone, especially her Angel City teammates, for celebrating this “impossible moment” with her.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Riley is a fervent advocate for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and players` rights, and actively supports Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage initiatives. Throughout her playing years, she also cultivated a successful career in content creation, fostering connections with fans through various media.
