Riley Tiernan, the new superstar of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), has been taking the City of Angels by storm. With her speed, dominating attacks, and goal-scoring ability, it’s clear Angel City has unleashed the beast. Read on to learn more about the NWSL rookie firing up LA.
Early Years
A New Jersey native, Tiernan grew up with a ball at her feet. Surrounded by a soccer-loving family, including older sister Madison, a former Rutgers and Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) player and current Rutgers coach, Riley’s soccer journey started early.
At age nine, Tiernan started playing with the elite Players Development Academy (PDA) , and played with Eastern Regional High School, where she was named Courier-Post’s 2020 Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year. She received high praise from head coach Jamie McGroaty: “She’s kinda like Wayne Gretzky, where you never see her get hit,” she said. “She’s so deceptive with the ball and has that innate ability to get around people with little fakes.”
Like her sister, Tiernan went on to star at Rutgers, helping lead the Scarlet Knights to the 2021 NCAA College Cup, and left as the program’s career assist leader with 34 assists in 83 games.
NWSL
After college, Tiernan was invited to train with Angel City FC before they signed her in 2025. She made her debut on March 16 and has started in every match since.
Beyond playing time, Tiernan has quickly become a star. Already named NWSL’s Rookie of the Month in April, she has been collecting goals since, with six goals already stacking up in her rookie season.
Tiernan was called up to the U-23 Women’s National Team for two international friendlies, and it is likely just a matter of time before she is called up to the USWNT.
Her style is fearless, always attacking, always pressing, always looking to make something happen. ACFC technical director Mark Wilson praised her style of play, saying to the LA Times, “While we had quality attacking players, we want you looking over your shoulder. When you’re looking over your shoulder, you’re not comfortable. When you’re not comfortable, you’re pushing yourself. That level of competition for places drives standards and performance….Riley exhibited that from Day 1 and it hasn’t stopped. I don’t see her ever taking her foot off the gas.”
Angel City fans praise Tiernan’s star quality on the field, with comments on Instagram saying, “Tiernan is scoring enough to keep us winning, “ “Riley Tiernan is a beast,” “she is on fire this season,” and “the footwork, the precision, the confidence…gotta be roty [rookie of the year].”
It’s only a matter of time before Tiernan becomes a household name in the NWSL and beyond.
Image via Getty Images
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