It won’t be an exaggeration to say Angel City FC is in turbulent water at the dawn of the 2024 NWSL season. Firstly, the club is searching for a new majority owner on the back of an ongoing disagreement between its current owners. Besides, the LA side did not get the desired result in their NWSL opener. Angel City lost against NWSL’s newest franchise- Bay FC in front of a disappointed home crowd. Anyhow, the club’s captain and veteran defender Ali Riley is least perturbed by the result. Instead, she said she looks forward to making the best of Angel City’s blend of youngsters and experienced players.

Angel City has two more matches left before the international break to earn their first winning points. Riley and Co. first face Orlando Pride on the road. Thereafter, another away game against KC Current awaits the LA club.

Ali Riley is unbothered about Angel City’s loss and proud of the team’s hard work

Ali Riley got candid about Angel City’s balanced squad, coach Becki Tweed, and her off-the-pitch ventures in a recent conversation. While doing so, the New Zealand international also addressed the club’s loss against Bay FC on Sunday. “Our training sessions are really, really good so there no surprises on Sunday because we have been working hard, competing really hard,” said Ali Riley, as compiled by Fansided. Soon, Riley revealed coach Becki Tweed’s flexible gaming philosophy, which seems to have impressed the former.

“She doesn’t expect all players who are competing for the same position to be the same. She doesn’t ask anyone to play like anyone else,” the Angel City captain said, referring to coach Tweed. Thereafter, Riley revealed she chanced to develop good chemistry with the team’s young core while traveling together in the preseason. “We’re really here to win and of course, to make a difference in people’s lives and to push the game,” she added, guaranteeing better days for Angel City fans. Later on, the New Zealand veteran dived deeper into her warm equations with her young teammates. And we can see a sensei in Ali Riley.

Riley is impressed by Angel City’s youngsters

The Thompson sisters, Alyssa Thompson and Gisele Thompson both play for Angel City. Alyssa is 19 and Gisele is 18. Seeing the two take the field, Ali Riley proudly said she is learning how the game has changed for the better and opened up for young women. “Gisele is a sensational fullback. She is so good,” said the 36-year-old referring to the younger Thompson who joined Angel City this year.

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Meanwhile, Riley and Alyssa Thompson share a much closer bond. “Our families met each other really early on and definitely bonded. I just felt really protective of her. I want her to have the most amazing experience,” Riley added, referring to Alyssa Thompson. While Riley is highly optimistic about her young teammates, Angel City stars young and experienced alike should go the extra mile this season to etch their names in the NWSL lore.

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