By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Ali Riley is a familiar face in the world of women’s professional soccer and Palisadians surely recognized her as one of their own yesterday when she took the pitch for New Zealand against the United States in the first event of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Photo: New Zealand Soccer
Riley plays fullback for the Football Ferns and this is the third Olympics for the former St. Matthew’s multi-sport star. She is regarded as one of the best players in the world at her position and honed her skills at the Palisades Recreation Center, not far from where she grew up in the Alphabet Streets.
After a stellar prep career at Harvard-Westlake High in Studio City, Riley captained a Stanford University team that included future FIFA Women’s World Cup winners Kelley O’Hara and Christen Press.
Riley, 28, played a season for the Pali Blues at Stadium by the Sea and won two championships in the Women’s Professional Soccer league and currently plays for Rosengard of the Swedish League alongside five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and Brazilian star Marta.
“I’m really excited — there’s really nothing like the Olympics,” Riley said. “Given Brazil’s love for the game, it’s a great country to play in. We have high expectations and want to show we can compete with the elite teams.”
New Zealand kicked off the tournament Wednesday against the reigning gold medalists and continues Group G play against Colombia on Saturday and France next Tuesday.
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