Angel City say tearful goodbye to Press, Riley and playoff contention

LOS ANGELES — Sunday's game against the Portland Thorns ended Angel City's playoff chances with a 2-0 loss. But the story of the evening was the tearful farewells of Christen Press and Ali Riley, two of the biggest players in the club's history.

This defeat was a heavy blow for the club, as they had failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third year in a row. Of the four seasons played, the City of Angels reached the playoffs once. It wasn't the club's most dynamic game, but players like Gisele Thompson, Evelyn Shores and June Endo helped put four shots on target and break down Portland's attack.

Portland opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Olivia Moultrie received a pass from forward Alexa Spaanstra just outside the 18th line, moved a few steps forward and sent the ball into the net.

Thompson created a chance in the 36th minute. Midfielder Miyabi Moriya and striker Riley Tiernan combined outside the penalty area, with Tiernan playing a sideways pass to Thompson. The defender ran to the edge of the penalty area, transferred the ball to her left foot and fired a shot on target, from which goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold jumped and knocked over the crossbar with one hand.

In the 60th minute, Moultrie's successful penalty doubled the score, which had been equalized minutes earlier by ACFC defender Sarah Dorsun. In the 63rd minute, the City of Angels had another chance when Moriah found striker Christen Press near the penalty spot with her back to goal. Press turned her defender and fired a shot on target, but Arnold saved.

Although Olivia Moultrie's double added defeat to the ACFC record, the club would have been relegated regardless of the result against the Thorns. Midway through the first half of the City of Angels game, Racing Louisville was tied with the Houston Dash. The draw left Louisville with 37 points on the table, more than the total possible points Angel City could have scored in its final two games, effectively eliminating Los Angeles from playoff contention.

The game was the final home game for City of Angels originals Press and Riley, who were honored in a tearful postgame ceremony. Press and Riley walked out to a home game for the last time to a chorus of chants. The two grew up in Los Angeles and were given a hometown hero with a farewell filled with cheers, applause and tears as teammates, front office staff and parents spoke before presenting both players with framed jerseys.

In the 61st minute, Press made his final home appearance in front of 19,841 fans.

Press was the first player to sign with Angel City in 2022 in a trade with Racing Louisville. Although a torn cruciate ligament kept her out of action for over two years, Press's influence on the club and the game as a whole is undeniable. She made it return June 2024.

“This sport has grown and blossomed over my 14 years as a professional,” Press told the crowd during her retirement ceremony after the match. “This community and club celebrates all the work my teammates and I (with the USWNT) have done for over a decade to fight for justice, progress and opportunity for the next generation.

“Young people, when I was your age, I didn't have to come to games like this, and I hope that in some way the work we've done will allow you to realize your wildest dreams.”

Late in the second half, the crowd began chanting, “We want Eli Riley!” hoping to see their beloved captain return to the field one last time. In the 82nd minute, Riley checked in for the final home game of her career.

Riley, with tears running down her face, spoke to the crowd during the ceremony, surrounded by loved ones and former teammates, including Alyssa Thompson. She shared moments dear to her heart and told the press about her story. The two played college football at Stanford University and spent the 2007 preseason as roommates. At this point, they spent their final season in the City of Angels as roommates.

She concluded her speech with a message to the city that raised her and the fans who endlessly supported her during her four years at ACFC.

“Looking around, all I can think is that this is truly a city of angels. “I’m so lucky to stand here surrounded by coaches from all different stages of my career… It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve this club, but I could never have done it without you all, so thank you very much.”

Riley reflected on her personal journey and the difficult moments she faced this season. Earlier this year, Riley's parents' home was destroyed in a fire in Palisades, days before her wedding.

“I think about the fire, and we still had hope that maybe the house didn't burn down,” Riley said in a postgame interview. “I think it's only human to just hope and that's how I like to live. After getting injured I accepted that it was probably the end of my career but my parents never stopped believing in me and they asked me about training and it was hard but their unwavering faith helped me achieve this through difficult times. I wouldn't have been able to maintain hope and determination if it weren't for my family.”

Since their first season at the club in 2022, the two veterans have made significant improvements to the game, pushing for equal pay, better training and increased awareness. “I am grateful and hopeful to know that there are young people in this stadium and on my team who have only known such a club, such a career and such a great life,” Riley said.