Riley’s Olympic call-up is special for different reasons

LOS ANGELES -- Ali Riley was never called up to a United States youth national team. She prepared while playing soccer for the prestigious Harvard Westlake-School and local clubs, leading the Wolverines to the Southern Section Division 1 final in her senior year.

However, as the call from the United States never came, Riley sent a video to the New Zealand under-20 national team coach. After all, her dad is a Kiwi, and she has dual citizenship.

Soon after, Riley flew to Australia to play with the U-20 team, was invited to join the group, and was called up to the senior national team for the 2007 Women’s World Cup. 

The Angel City defender has since represented New Zealand at five World Cups. She has also been the captain of the Football Ferns since 2017 and joined the team in Paris as she prepares for her fifth Olympic games.

“I still can't believe I flew to Australia to play with this group of under-20 players,” Riley said. “I did not know a single person, but went for two weeks, and then they invited me to join the under-20 team. Then, the next year, I got called into the senior team for the 2007 World Cup."

Every call-up is special for Riley, but more than ever, she is not taking anything for granted now. 

Riley’s 2024 season has been difficult. The 36-year-old defender has appeared in only five of Angel City’s 16 matches and has spent most of the year out with an “upper leg” injury.

It was not the kind of injury that would allow Riley to rest and return. She spent weeks in and out of training, feeling different every day as the Olympics neared. 

“This is a special one because I'm pretty sure it will be my last,” Riley said. “But never say never. Not only that, but it has been a very hard one to get to, with my body struggling with injury this year.”

Riley finally returned to training before Angel City’s match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on July 6. But with little time to get fit, her playing time in the Olympics is still uncertain. 

Regardless, there are no doubts about how Riley will impact the team in other ways. As captain, she elevates the team’s training environment. 

“I want to be on the field for every game there,” Riley said. “I want to lead and walk the team out in every game. If I can't do that, I'm dedicated to giving the team all my energy, competing, and pushing with players who play ahead of me.”

The 36-year-old does the same with Angel City. She hopes to continue playing for them but knows she is in the later stages of her career. 

“I have approached every game I've played like it might be my last from a pretty young age,” Riley said. “I know that I don't have that many more games left in me; I hope to be able to play at least one more season, and I don't know when I'll retire from the national team, but I want to give my best.”

But even after playing professional soccer, Riley will look to inspire future generations. She was at the Rose Bowl for Brandi Chastain’s iconic penalty kick and celebration during the 1999 World Cup. 

That moment was remarkable for her. In some ways, she created her iconic moment when the World Cup was in New Zealand. The Ferns won against Norway in the tournament's first match, marking their first-ever World Cup victory.

The notable win on home soil was one that Riley hopes inspires New Zealand’s youth like Chastain’s goal did for her. Riley also used the stage to promote gender equity and inclusion, painting her nails the colors of the LGBTQ+ and trans flags. 

“These young people need role models,” Riley said, “They need to see her to be able to be her. I want to be that person. I also want to use my platform at the Olympics and the World Cup, and here [with Angel City], when I have this amazing support and these connections.

People are listening to what I am saying. I want to stand up for what I believe in and for people who don't have a voice. I have this probably last opportunity on the world stage where people will see and hear me. I want to make everyone proud. I want to inspire people.”

Even today, Riley is still being motivated. Angel City, a majorly women-owned club, showed her that women can hold leadership positions for teams. 

Riley said she does not want to be a coach but could find herself in the content creation/media space and is interested in becoming an owner of a team one day.

“With the new Auckland team coming to New Zealand, I have an opportunity to be involved,” Riley said. “I can't say too much, but I would love to own a team one day or maybe have a leadership position. I never knew that that was possible until Angel City. 

It was like, ‘Oh, you could be a coach,’ but I did not know we could own teams, be general managers, be investors, and have these roles. I am grateful for my eyes being opened, and I feel like the sky is the limit.”

Whenever Riley takes the next step, she will end a playing career in which she made a difference. Some of that impact came in New Zealand, where she did not expect to become an icon.