LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2026) – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) today announced the launch of “ACFC Player Futures,” a professional development program within the ACFC business organization that helps retired players gain real-world experience in marketing, partnerships, community impact, and operations of a professional women’s football club.
ACFC’s first-ever captain, Ali Riley, who retired at the end of the 2025 NWSL Season, helped club leadership shape the program and will participate as its first ACFC Players Futures Commercial and Creative Partner, marking the next chapter in her professional journey.
More than a traditional ambassador role, ACFC Player Futures act as active contributors to the club’s brand, revenue, and long-term business growth, receiving mentorship and guidance and ensuring that the leadership they forged on the pitch continues to shape the club off it.
“I’ve always believed that players should have a voice in shaping the future of the clubs they represent,” said Riley. “Angel City gave me the platform to lead on the field. This next chapter is about building from a different vantage point, contributing to the club's commercial growth, storytelling, and long-term vision, which I care deeply about. If we want women’s football to continue evolving, we need pathways that allow players to step into leadership beyond the pitch. I’m proud that Angel City is creating that blueprint.”
“Angel City was founded to reimagine what a sports organization can be, not just on the pitch, but in the way it empowers our fans, community, players, and staff,” said Willow Bay, Owner, ACFC. “As our first-ever captain, Ali helped set the tone and drive for the club’s football culture, standards, and global identity from day one, so it’s fitting that she’s helping us launch and build ACFC Player Futures as we continue to evolve, while also gaining real exposure to and experience from some of the best commercial and business minds in sports.”
In her role as Commercial and Creative Partner, Riley will work alongside the club’s marketing and partnerships team on brand strategy, partnership innovation, and alumni platform development, bringing the insight of a founding player to the club’s commercial and cultural initiatives. Her work will focus on strengthening the connection between Angel City’s on-field identity and its broader ambitions as one of the most progressive organizations in global sport. She will also collaborate on the vision, programming, and hosting of Angel City’s Alumni Weekend on August 23 at BMO Stadium.
Riley’s extraordinary pro soccer career has spanned nearly two decades, five World Cups, and four Olympic Games. She earned her first cap with the New Zealand Women’s National Team in 2007 and went on to appear 163 times for the senior national team, the second most in history. Her club career saw her play around the world for top-flight clubs, including FC Rosengård (2012-2018), Chelsea FC Women (2018-2019), Bayern Munich (2019-2020). Domestically, she had successful stints in with FC Gold Pride (2010), Western New York Flash (2011), and Orlando Pride of the NWSL (2020-2021) and finally she returned home to LA with Angel City in 2022.
Beyond her work with Angel City, Riley continues to expand her impact across sport and media. She recently announced her latest media endeavor as the co-host of her new podcast in partnership with Just Women’s Sports “Time Wasting” alongside Kelley O’Hara. She recently became a founding investor and owner at LOVB San Francisco, serves as a studio soccer analyst, and is building a growing presence in sports storytelling, reflecting her broader commitment to shaping the future of the game both on and off the field.