Jersey "grit" fueling rookie Tiernan's NWSL journey

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Riley Tiernan prides herself on being from New Jersey.

Growing up there, the Angel City rookie forward said hard work drove her as she led nearby Rutgers to its first regular-season Big Ten title and earned individual accolades.

It’s just that Jersey “grit.” 

So, as the 22-year-old joined a team across the country, she said her hometown resilience separated her from the average.  

“If you can work your ass off, then no one can be better than you,” Tiernan said. “(I’m) taking that with me and always like keeping that Jersey in me because it's definitely different than here.”

Tiernan, a Voorhees, N.J. native, employed her work ethic to earn a spot on Angel City’s roster after joining as a preseason trialist. Since signing, she has started the team’s opening two matches, playing 166 minutes.

In those fixtures, she only attempted three shots — one on target — and made 11 successful passes. But she also made four interceptions, created two chances and was never dispossessed. 

Tiernan‘s coaches said she earned her immediate role.

“I honestly don't think I've taken it in yet,” she said. “I'm definitely still adjusting, but it honestly just feels too good to be true. I can't believe that I get to do this every day, and it's something that I love doing so much, but it's also my job.”

***

It started with her family.

Tiernan said she grew up in a household where she had to work for everything. 

Meanwhile, she carefully observed her older sister, Madison Richard, formerly Tiernan, employ such dedication to play at Rutgers and be drafted to Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC. 

Naturally, Tiernan followed in her footsteps with greater certainty regarding youth club selection and development strategies.

Then, she committed to Rutgers as an eighth grader.

“Just watching (Richard) play and having a built-in role model my entire life was an advantage that not a lot of people have — that's been what fuels me pretty much every day,” Tiernan said.

Richard, an assistant coach at Rutgers, was there for every move. And it did not take her sister long to adjust. As a freshman, Tiernan scored eight goals and assisted 13 scores — an All-Big Ten First Team season. 

Richard said that Tiernan put in extra work to separate herself from others, growing from looking like a “baby” to becoming a “woman” over four years. 

“When she came out freshman year and just absolutely blew everyone out of the water and dominated, it was kind of eye-opening that she’s the real deal,” Richard said. “She can really take this where she wants to, where she wants to take it.”

Tiernan did not replicate her freshman-year production, but her success continued in her final three seasons, totaling 15 goals and 23 assists in 58 games. She was named to the All Big Ten Second Team twice and the Third Team once.

Tiernan said being able to watch her sister helped her develop a sturdy foundation. The sisters still talk all the time despite being on opposite sides of the U.S., including when Tiernan learned she was going to sign a professional contract. 

Tears were shed.

“The level of pride I feel just being her older sister is inexplicable,” Richard said. “I've only wanted the best for her, and know this is just the beginning of her story.” 

***

Tiernan quickly noticed the talent jump at the professional level.

Training as a trialist with Angel City in their  “constantly competitive” training environment, she said she had to adjust quickly. However, she appreciated the team’s warm welcome and “jumped right in.”

Tiernan was initially stoked to be practicing with the team. But as she began to excel in training sessions, she stressed about not being signed to a contract. And each time she performed poorly, she wondered if the day would diminish her chances of landing a deal.

But then, she recalled her Jersey values.

“There were days where I would get in my own head, but then I just remembered, just work hard — that's all you can do,” Tiernan said.

Then, it was only a matter of time before she got it.

After one February practice, first assistant coach Eleri Earnshaw pulled Tiernan aside and requested she meet with sporting director Mark Parsons. 

“Oh, sh-t,” the young forward thought.

But as Tiernan sat down with Parsons and technical director Mark Wilson, she found out that Angel City wanted to sign her.

Phew. Finally. 

 “The fact that I earned it, no one can say anything, no one can say sh-t to me, because I earned it.”

Angel City later announced Tiernan’s contract, a two-year deal through 2026 with a club option through 2027. 

Tiernan played a notable role at the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational without the stress of feeling that every dribble or shot could determine her fate. 

“That helped me in Coachella because it just gave me a little bit of fire under my butt, just to know that I was safe and I could breathe,” she said.

Tiernan said the preseason helped her grow as a player. Stars, including veterans Sydney Leroux and Christen Press, also surrounded her. Leroux, especially, she said, taught her how to become more confident and mentally tough. 

Leroux announced right before the season that she was stepping away from soccer for her mental health. The 34-year-old started 19 matches for Angel City in 2024, playing a role that Tiernan has primarily filled. 

“(What’s) such an amazing aspect of it is getting to play with a wide variety of players,” Tiernan said. “I'm fresh out of college (and) I'm playing with high schoolers and then people that have done it their whole lives — It's a cool perspective to have.”

***

The season opener was surreal for Tiernan.

As she exited the tunnel before almost 20,000 fans sporting Angel City’s “asphalt,” “armour” and “sol rosa” colors, she was astonished.

“I remember walking into the stadium (during the home opener), looking around, and I honestly teared up because I was like, ‘wow, this is real life,’” Tiernan said. 

But quickly, the amazement turned into nervousness as the spry No. 9 worried about making mistakes. 

After falling behind in the fifth minute, Angel City drew 1-1 with their geographic rivals, the San Diego Wave. 

Tiernan made just 3-of-12 accurate passes and put one shot on target. She also had the least touches of any outfield player who played 90 minutes, according to FotMob.

In Angel City’s second fixture, Tiernan said she also felt nervous before a packed Providence Park versus the Portland Thorns. But in that 1-1 draw, she appeared slightly more productive, creating two chances, making three recoveries and intercepting three passes.

“It's going to take me a little bit to get more comfortable, but I also think just knowing that I'm playing in front of so many people is motivation to continue to work hard,” Tiernan said. “Both games, I came out and just put my best foot forward and did as much as I could, but (I am) definitely still adjusting to a level.”

Tiernan said she expects to shake off the nerves with time. At the end of the day, she added she loved playing in front of large crowds at Rutgers.

Forward Alyssa Thompson credited Tiernan’s pressing prowess after the season opener, saying the rookie is always working hard and moving.

“It’s really nice because she is a hard worker, and she is going to defend the team,” the 20-year-old said. “I like that because when she’s high pressing, I know I can high press and everyone behind her is falling.”

Parsons said he wouldn’t have expected Tiernan to start just two weeks before the season, but he noted that it is vital to reward strong training performances, which Tiernan exhibited. He is excited about her potential development.

“I love Disney movies, but there's always bumps and ups and downs in Disney movies. There will be with all our young players, including Riley. “Parsons said. “It's not possible to be perfect, so I'm excited to see her now and in the long term and her development with us. 

***

Tiernan still has competition. 

Despite Leroux, who scored seven goals in 2024, being away from the team, multiple players are contending for the rookie’s role.

One of them is Casey Phair, who is the youngest player to appear in a FIFA Women’s World Cup at 16 years old. She has yet to appear in the regular season despite being in her second season.

The now 17-year-old’s signing appeared so significant that it warranted an event at Koreatown’s LOVE HOUR hamburger restaurant, months after fans gathered at the same establishment to tune into her World Cup debut. 

Parsons said forward Phair had an outstanding preseason, including a goal at the CVI, and has been “very unfortunate” to have not appeared yet. 

Laity echoed that sentiment, saying he expects Phair to appear soon if she continues to thrive in training.

“We’ve got a load of talent,” Parsons said. “Sometimes when you don't play, or you're not in a roster, the perception is you're not doing great. No, not Angel City. No, not Chelsea Football Club, not at (FC) Barcelona, because there's talent everywhere.”

Parsons praised the versatility of Angel City’s forwards  — Christen Press, Julie Dufour, Claire Emslie, Alyssa Thompson, Leroux and Tiernan — mentioning how many of them can play across the front three, some even as attacking midfielders. 

Tiernan embraces the competition, though. And she loves learning from her peers, like Thompson, who she said is “probably one of the best players in the world.”

“Being surrounded by all these girls, everyone's so talented in their own ways, and just lifting each other up and constantly getting feedback has really been helpful for me, especially being like the new kid on the block,” Tiernan said. 

Tiernan said she wants to continue adjusting to the demands of the professional environment. She feels she has grown tremendously since joining Angel City a mere months ago. Her soccer IQ, especially, has developed as she has gained diverse perspectives on the game. 

Eventually, Tiernan wants to make “big plays” regularly, becoming a player fans tune in to watch. But more importantly, she said, she wants to be a part of a winning team. 

And she will rely on that Jersey “grit” to achieve her goals.

“I feel like everything I've gotten has been earned,” Tiernan said. “In my life, like nothing's ever been handed to me. I feel like that's something that's motivated me — it means so much more when you earn it yourself.”