The Football Ferns’ captain’s career spans nearly two decades, five World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023), and four Olympics, as well as numerous leagues across the globe.

Riley has made no regular-season appearances in 2025, as she has been dealing with a chronic nerve injury that has sidelined her since the start of the Paris Olympics in July 2024, causing her to withdraw from the Olympic squad. She was able to return to the training pitch in August.

“I want to thank my family, friends, the teams that I have played for, the teammates I have played with, and the fans who have rooted for me here at home and all over the world,” Riley said in her announcement. “I am leaving with my head held so high and feeling so much support and love. This chapter may be closing, but I know there is so much more to come.”

In college, Riley was a star for the Stanford Cardinal, leading her team to two NCAA semifinals and one final from 2006 to 2009. During that time, she also debuted for the New Zealand women’s national team in 2007 and quickly established herself as a crucial member, eventually earning 163 international caps, the second most in team history. She holds the New Zealand record for most appearances in major tournaments.

Riley’s professional career began with FC Gold Pride in the WPS in 2010. She won a championship and Rookie of the Year with the Pride. In 2011, she joined Western New York Flash and won another championship.

From there, Riley went to Sweden, where she won multiple league titles with FC Rosengård from 2012 to 2018. She spent one season each with England’s Chelsea FC (2018-2019) and Germany’s Bayern Munich (2019-2020) before returning to the NWSL.

She returned to the United States to play with the Orlando Pride in 2020 (though she did not play that year due to the Pride’s removal from the inaugural Challenge Cup), and again in 2021.

When Angel City joined the NWSL as an expansion team, they acquired Riley in a trade, allowing her to play in her hometown for the first time in her career. From there, she was named team captain and has held the title to this day.

“Ali Riley is Angel City. Her heart, grit, and unwavering commitment to lifting everyone around her have shaped the culture of this club,” said ACFC CEO and Co-Founder Julie Uhrman in a release. “Her impact on our team, our city, the global game, and on me personally is immeasurable. Ali has shown us that leadership goes far beyond the pitch; it’s in how you care for others, how you show up, and how you lead every single day. Her love of the game, for Angel City, and for the community is undeniable. And while she may no longer be on the pitch, she will never be far from Angel City. We all need more Ali Rileys in our lives.”

In this week’s iteration of Anatomy, we’re bringing you a special edition. Let’s call this Anatomy of an Own Goal, courtesy of the Washington Spirit’s backline. The Spirit battled Angel City to a 2-2 draw on Thursday, September 18, and managed to secure a single point from the match after scoring 75% of the goals.

The own goal of interest was the third goal scored, and actually gave Angel City the lead in the 55th minute before Washington’s Croix Bethune saved the day with an equalizer in the 71st. 

Before we break our goal of interest down frame-by-frame, let’s take a look at the sequence in full.

https://twitter.com/AttackingThird/status/1968889986624700590

This one started right around midfield, with Angel City’s central defender Sara Doorsoun-Khajeh collecting the ball at her feet and facing up.

The German international drove forward into space before hitting new teammate Nealy Martin with a square ball. At this point, the sequence was almost stymied by the referee.

Angel City has paid a hefty sum three times over in order to get and keep Alyssa Thompson within their ranks.

First, there was the tangled web of rule-shaping to ensure that Thompson would be available to be drafted, having just turned 18 in late 2022, and with no under-18 signing mechanism formally in place yet in the National Women’s Soccer League. The club gave up three college draft picks, including the No. 5 overall pick in 2023 (not to mention passing Yazmeen Ryan through to Gotham), to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and thus keep the Southern California prospect in her own backyard.

The contract Thompson then signed likely wasn’t cheap, either. As a blue-chip teenage prospect who was the top pick of the 2023 NWSL draft and seemed to become draft-eligible that year to be signed only by Angel City, Thompson held all the leverage. A three-year deal for a player already with two caps for the U.S. women’s national team was sure to tie up a great deal of the club’s payroll.

The playoff field has its first confirmed guest, and transfer rumors are swirling over Angel City. Meanwhile, the Sphere of Mediocrity grows ever larger.

Here’s how they shape up after most of Week 18:

Cream of the Crop

x-Kansas City Current (15-2-1, 46 pts; vs Courage, 2-0):  Temwa Chawinga did not score against the North Carolina Courage, but neither did the Courage. That leaves Chawinga with 11 goals while the Current have conceded only 10. Kayla Sharples continues to stay in the discussion for Defender of the Year, and even as it has taken Ally Sentnor some time to fully integrate into the attack, the defense has become a well-oiled machine, and the win over the Courage made the Current the first team to secure an official invite to the 2025 playoffs. The only bad news is that Esther Gonzalez scored for Gotham to edge ahead of Chawinga in the Golden Boot race.

Angel City wins two in a row as transfer rumors involving Alyssa Thompson heat up, the Kansas City Current clinch a playoff spot before Labor Day, bottom teams continue to make things interesting, and Racing Louisville drop yet more points in stoppage time.

Where does Angel City stand amidst Alyssa Thompson’s reported transfer interest?

Angel City earned a 2-1 win over California counterparts Bay FC, and now sit just outside the playoff line in ninth place. Monday night’s result, however, feels like a burial of the lede, as it was set in the backdrop of multiple departures. On Wednesday, the club announced the transfers of Alana Kennedy and Katie Zelem to the Lion City Lionesses for an unspecified fee. Those exits were soon overshadowed by bombshell reports of Chelsea’s interest in 20-year-old star winger Alyssa Thompson. The deal is reportedly in “advanced talks” prior to the FA Women’s Super League’s deadline day on September 4, as Thompson was an “excused absence” from Monday’s match.   

The Most Valuable Player debates in the National Women’s Soccer League can often be contentious, with much debate over what should quantify a most valuable player. Could continue to perform without that player? When they do, does that hurt said player’s chances? For lesser teams, does an MVP need to go above and beyond to put themselves in the conversation?

That a team could perform well without a certain player doesn’t mean that player isn’t valuable, of course. Maybe that team has a great coach, or had a GM that build a great roster. Regardless, whether or not a team is good—and could do well without them—shouldn’t discount a player’s chances at MVP. Oftentimes, a player is great because of the teammates they have around

Some familiar names on this list have continued to stand out, while others have found themselves on our list for the first time. In the first year without the NWSL draft, one thing is clear: these rookies have come to play, and are contributing in big ways to their clubs.

Riley Tiernan – Angel City FC

Back when we did our first edition of standout rookies, Tiernan was firmly on the list with three goals and an assist through six matches. Now 13 games in, Tiernan has cemented herself not only as one of Angel City’s best players but also one of the top scorers in the league with seven goals to lead ACFC. Tiernan is not only firmly in the conversation for Rookie of the Year – and may very well be the frontrunner – but has also put herself in position to potentially win the Golden Boot, being in fourth place and just three goals behind current leader Esther González.

Her +4.4 xG leads the league, and she’s converting her shots on target. In total, she ranks in the top 10 in 11 major offensive stat categories, according to FBRef, and has been one of the league’s top-producing offensive players. After being named the May Rookie of the Month – marking back-to-back Rookie of the Month nods – and to the NWSL Team of the Month, she received a call-up to the U-23 U.S. women’s national team camp in June, and her two appearances were her first of any kind within the USWNT system. 

Trinity Armstrong – San Diego Wave FC

There were questions about Naomi Girma’s departure on what San Diego’s backline would look like in her absence. Trinity Armstrong has provided that answer. Back in early June, The Equalizer’s Sebastian Bush identified Armstrong as one of three NWSL standouts flying under the radar. Defensively, Armstrong’s abilities have continued to impress. And at just 17 years old, that makes her rookie performances even more eye-popping. She’s been a key part of San Diego’s surge into third place in the standings, allowing just 16 goals on the season. Armstrong currently holds an 88.1% pass completion rate, holding above 90% completion in each of San Diego’s last three games. 

Named as part of the league’s Best XI in May, she was the youngest player in NWSL history to be named to a team of the month. She had a goal and two assists on top of her defensive play, with her first career goal coming at a critical moment to hand the Wave a 2-1 victory over Bay FC. She’s the youngest player in league history to have a stoppage-time game-winner. While Tiernan is cementing herself in the conversation for Rookie of the Year, Armstrong is right there with her. 

While she’s only reached the U-17 squad, it’s likely that if Armstrong’s play continues, we’ll soon get to see Armstrong and Naomi Girma play together on the USWNT’s backline, which should be an enticing prospect for national team fans everywhere.

Taylor Huff – Bay FC

Taylor Huff has started in each of her 13 matches played for Bay FC, and has made an immediate impact for the Bay in its second season in the league and earned three call-ups to the USWNT U-23 team so far this year. Her passing abilities are among the best in the league, with Huff ranking fourth overall in passes into the penalty area. She’s also fifth in the league in total crosses with 58 and leads Bay. 

Huff leads all Bay midfielders in pass completion, ahead of players like Kiki Pickett, having completed 311 of her 461 passes. Her 38-shot creating actions rank first on Bay FC, and she’s also good at drawing penalties, making her a dangerous player to take your eyes off. 

Lilly Reale – Gotham FC

Lilly Reale’s play earned her her first-ever senior national team call-up in July, and her international debut to go along with it in a 4-0 win over Ireland. Named to the Best XI of the Month in April, Reale has one goal and one assist, having started in 11 of 12 matches for Gotham FC. She also played a full 90 in both of Gotham’s Concacaf W Champions Cup matches, gaining valuable minutes in the final that the team won. 

A shift from central to left back has allowed Reale’s talents to shine through and has helped the team’s backline allow just 13 goals – tied for fourth-lowest in the league alongside Seattle. 

Jayden Perry – Portland Thorns

Rookie center backs have come to play this season. While her goals have come off of penalties, the ability to score goals as a center back isn’t something you come by every day. And Perry not only has been doing that for Portland, she’s become a staple of the Thorns’ defense as a rookie. With a proven ability to adapt within games, she’s established herself not only as one of the best rookie defenders, but also one of the best across the league.

Not only does Perry know where to position herself in the box to help with clearances, she also holds a calmness under pressure that would make you think she’s a seasoned veteran – not a 22-year-old rookie. She’s been able to find her teammates and break through the first line of pressure, while also pressing on the dribble – that Perry can do both well is huge for a Portland team that aims to possess and break teams down on the ball. Plus, she’s been able to contribute offensively, with her three goals and one assist tied for the second-most points on the team behind fellow rookie Reilyn Turner, and Sam Coffey. Those three goals may be off of penalty kicks, but they also rank her first in the league for penalty kicks made, and it’s not like a penalty kick is always a guarantee.

9.) North Carolina prove progress is impossible without change

The Courage endured a nightmare start to its 2025 campaign, earning just two points from an available 15. The early crisis in Cary prompted tweaks to North Carolina’s trademark playing style. Under head coach Sean Nahas, the Courage has become famous for its silky, dynamic, possession-dominant play. But with such a style failing to yield results, North Carolina has since swapped its obsession with possession for pragmatism. It adjusted its formation to a three-back system to enable more stability in midfield and wide areas.

The changes have paid off. The Courage have accrued an impressive 5-2-1 record in the interim, and are tied on points with the current eighth place holders Gotham. Courage forward Manaka Matsukobo has particularly profited, scoring a team-leading four goals and notching four assists in the last five matches. 

North Carolina’s late comeback win over the Houston Dash in the final matchday before the summer break symbolizes its first half of the season. It overcame an early deficit to score two unanswered goals in the closing 20 minutes. Forwards Jaedyn Shaw and Hannah Betfort both broke their goal-scoring ducks with the vital goals. According to the sports analytics service Opta, the Courage now lead the league in points gained from a losing position, with eight.  

10.) Bay FC find themselves in the messy middle

So close, yet so far. Bay FC feel like a protypical mid-table club in that they often outplay opponents this season, yet they do not have the points to show for it. Only once has Bay conceded more than two goals in a match and lost by more than a two-goal margin — and that was away at imperious Kansas City. Bay FC often hangs tough in games but simply cannot deliver the goods when it matters most. They own the third-worst big chance conversion record, per Opta. Asisat Oshoala remains mired in ‘bust’ territory with zero goals or assists on the season.

Bay FC are on a quest for consistent form, as Albertin Montoya’s side has not yet strung together consecutive wins or draws this season. Bay FC will need to discover another missing piece to its jigsaw to return to the playoffs. 

11.) Can Angel City discover its mettle?

Head coach Alexander Straus officially joined Angel City from Frauen-Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on June 1. In the three matches Straus has overseen, Angel City have lost twice and drawn once. For context, Straus only experienced two Bayern Munich league losses in the entirety of the three seasons in which he helmed the club. Perhaps it is a culture shock, a deficient squad, or a glaring symbol of the parity absent in other global leagues. Regardless, Angel City has yet to benefit from a new manager bounce and currently sits three points outside the playoff position. 

Notably, since Savy King’s horrifying on-field medical event on May 9, Angel City has yet to pick up a win or keep a clean sheet. Straus is tasked with helping Angel City strike a more even balance between attack and defense. Led by rookie Riley Tiernan and starlet Alyssa Thompson, Angel City are the only team outside the top four with 20 goals to its name. However, they have conceded the third most goals in the league, with 58% of its shipped goals occurring in the second half. It has certainly been a tough go, but Angel City will need to emerge from the international break with resolve and resilience. 

12.) Houston Dash fail to launch, again

The Houston Dash has been plagued by mediocrity through the entirety of its existence. Only once in its 11-year history has the Dash qualified for the postseason. Based on results and performances at the midway point, the Dash appear to remain on that turgid trajectory.

Despite several splashy off-season pick-ups such as Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, and Messiah Bright as well as a spate of promising early performances, Houston has reverted to the mean. They are now seven points adrift of a playoff spot. Matchday 13 saw Jane Campbell return to the net and reclaim her captaincy after a five-match stretch that saw her dropped in favor of Abby Smith. However, it did not spur a positive result, as the Dash failed to protect a lead against North Carolina and came away with zero points following another late collapse. Similarly, in early June, the Dash were seconds away from securing an impressive point away at Orlando before capitulating in 90’+9. Houston now dubiously lead the NWSL with most points dropped from a winning position, with 8. 

Though avoiding another last place finish would technically be an improvement from 2024, more was expected from Houston.

13.) Has Chicago already hit its ceiling?

Despite losing taliswoman Mallory Swanson to maternity leave, few could have foreseen the depth of Chicago’s despair in 2025. Chicago’s 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Orlando Pride in the season opener appears to have been a harbinger for the poor season ahead. The 2024 playoff side have been seemingly locked in 13th place thus far this season, with just a single victory and three draws through the halfway point. 

The dismissal of head coach Lorne Donaldson after an abysmal 1-6-1 start was met with mixed reaction, as some observers believed Donaldson was the scapegoat for an insufficient squad. Since the promotion of former assistant coach Masaki Hemmi to an interim role, the Stars have shown scant signs of life. Despite some positive passages of play, the Stars have only picked up six points of a possible 33. It appears Chicago is in need of a meaningful roster upgrade in order to avoid a lost season.    

14.) Will Coenraets survive the summer?

The Utah Royals sit bottom of every statistical category — fewest points, fewest goals scored, most goals allowed, and worst XG difference. Its lone win of the season came against fellow cellar dwellers the Chicago Stars back in April. While a brutal injury list has contributed to the Royals’ underperformance, the team’s lack of any forward momentum and management’s stubborn insistence on a particular style of play is concerning. 

Last year Utah endured a similarly turgid start to the season, collecting just four points through the opening 14 matches of its inaugural season. It cost then-head coach Amy Rodriguez her job. Jimmy Coenraets helped right the ship, as Utah went on to snatch 17 points out of a possible 27. The 30 year-old was rewarded with a contract that would make him permanent head coach through 2027. 

However, Utah currently lay claim to even fewer points than it had when Rodriguez earned the sack last season. The climb out of last place after the international break does not get any easier. Utah will face a thankless run-in at the restart, as four of its next five opponents currently occupy playoff positions. Will Utah’s ownership show Coenraets grace, or opt to make a second successive mid-season coaching change? 

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Alexander Straus is being realistic and dreaming big.

After several years of helping to raise standards for the National Women’s Soccer League off the field—as founder and CEO Julie Uhrman so helpfully reminded us once again—Angel City FC believe that in Straus, they have hired the person who can help raise those standards on the field, as well.