Riley Tiernan: Rising Star in the NWSL
Riley Tiernan had a breakthrough season with Angel City FC, where she played every match and netted 8 goals along with 1 assist and 18 shots on goal. Her impressive performance contributes to the exciting narrative surrounding her journey as an underdog turned standout player.
On a rainy day in March, Tiernan positioned herself just inside the penalty box, eagerly anticipating a play. As her teammate Katie Zelem passed to Claire Emslie on the left, Emslie delivered a cross from 12 yards out. With three defenders approaching, Tiernan leapt and headed the ball into the top left corner, scoring a stunning goal—remarkable for someone who was without a contract just weeks earlier.
At 23 years old, Tiernan is one of three finalists for the Rookie of the Year award, with the announcement set to take place tonight at the NWSL Awards at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN2. Other finalists include Maddie Dahlien from Seattle and Lilly Reale from Gotham FC. Just two weeks prior to the start of the NWSL season, Tiernan was merely a non-roster invitee, highlighting her unconventional path to this point.
“She’s transformed from an underdog to a star,” remarked Julie Uhrman, president and co-founder of Angel City. “She fought hard to be noticed, earn her place on the roster, and secure a spot in the starting lineup.”
Tiernan quickly made her mark this season. By early May, she had scored five goals, ranking first among all rookies and second in the Golden Boot race. Throughout the regular season, she played 2,200 minutes and finished with 8 goals, 1 assist, and 18 shots on target. Although Angel City finished with a 7-6-13 record and did not make the playoffs, Tiernan’s performance remained a shining highlight for the team.
“I just wanted to get an opportunity to play,” Tiernan shared. “I never anticipated everything would unfold like this.”
Every day after school in Voorhees, New Jersey, Tiernan’s older sister, Madison, would play soccer with friends while Riley, just two years old, would watch from the sidelines. Initially, the older girls were cautious when Riley joined, but soon they realized her tenacious spirit as she held her own in their games.
“Riley was always competitive, even as a toddler,” Madison recalled. “She had this fierce drive. At times, I was intimidated and would think about avoiding her.”
By age 8, Tiernan had established herself as one of the top players in the PDA South player development academy in South Jersey. As an eighth-grader, she topped the rankings for girls soccer players in New Jersey. Not long after, Coach Mike O’Neill from Rutgers reached out to express interest in offering her a scholarship.
“We know her mentality and her work ethic,” O’Neill commented. “We are confident she will thrive here.”
Tiernan found the fit at Rutgers appealing as her sister had played for the Scarlet Knights and her brother was also an athlete at a nearby college. “I’m proud of my Jersey roots and my family’s competitive spirit,” she noted.
Throughout her time at Rutgers, Tiernan achieved impressive accolades, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year and being selected for the All-Freshman Team. She started every game and contributed to her team’s success in the NCAA quarterfinals. Her college career concluded with a school record of 34 assists, ranking sixth in Big Ten history.
However, an incident during her senior year posed a challenge. In a critical Big Ten semifinal, Tiernan received a red card for misconduct, which drastically affected her team’s chances of winning. She later took full responsibility for her actions and acknowledged the need to prove herself going forward.
Her sister, now a Rutgers assistant coach, watched the incident unfold on television. “It was frustrating for our family,” Madison said. “But I believed this was a learning opportunity that would lead to something greater.”
With the NWSL expansion draft on the horizon, Tiernan faced uncertainty about landing a professional contract. After weeks of waiting, she hired an agent, and after several trials, only two teams, Gotham and Angel City, expressed interest.
“I felt anxious,” Tiernan admitted. “I didn’t have control over the situation.”
After weeks of silence, Tiernan finally got her opportunity when assistant coach Eleri Earnshaw informed her that the club was ready to sign her. “It felt like I could finally breathe after all that stress,” she recalled.
Now, as a key player for Angel City, Tiernan is embracing her role. During a recent match against Bay FC, she displayed her skills by scoring a thrilling goal that had fans on their feet.
“Riley has a remarkable ability to take on defenders, showcasing her technical skill and fierce mentality,” said coach Alexander Straus. “It’s inspiring to watch her develop.”
Despite facing challenges in recent games, Tiernan continues to push herself and contribute positively to her team. After a recent encounter against Portland Thorns FC, her coach emphasized the importance of her work ethic and positioning, focusing on her long-term growth.
After the game, Tiernan received a heartfelt gift from fans, a T-shirt humorously featuring her image along with popular TV characters. “This is an amazing representation of where I come from and how far I’ve traveled,” she smiled, embodying her journey from a backyard player to a professional athlete.
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