Ali Riley
Hi Wadi Degla FC Women!
Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes for the World Cup! I am really glad that Mary put me in contact with you, and it was my pleasure to answer all of your thoughtful questions. Keep up the good work!
Love,
Ali Riley
Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes for the World Cup! I am really glad that Mary put me in contact with you, and it was my pleasure to answer all of your thoughtful questions. Keep up the good work!
Love,
Ali Riley
Ali Riley is an American-born New Zealand association soccer player. Currently, she plays professionally for the Western New York Flash in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league. Previously, as a collegiate athlete, she captained the Stanford women’s soccer team to two NCAA semi-finals and one final. This summer, she will compete in the Women’s World Cup as a member of the New Zealand Women’s National Team this summer.
Wadi Degla FC: What is your toughest challenge up until today in soccer and what helped you get through it?
Ali Riley: When I was 13, I tried out for the local club team and did not get selected. All my friends made the team and they were really excited about it. I could have quit right then and there, but I asked myself if I really loved soccer, and if I believed in myself. The answer was “yes,” so I put in extra work after school to improve. The next year I made the team, but that experience motivated me to keep getting better and setting my sights higher.
WDFC: What is your diet like? Is it restricted or do you eat all kinds of normal foods?
AR: I love eating, especially sweets! But I know that to be in the best possible condition I have to treat my body like a machine. You get out of it what you put into it! I eat a lot of meat and vegetables, and try to stay away from heavy carbohydrates. I try to only eat junk food as a little treat.
WDFC: How did you balance out studying and playing in university?
AR: It was tough! Luckily I went to a rigorous high school that prepared me really well. I knew how to balance my time and start assignments early so I never had to stay up late and jeopardize my soccer performance. During the playing season your social life suffers, but it is definitely worth it.
WDFC: Is life as a professional soccer player what you expected it to be?
AR: It has exceeded expectations! The level of competition is the highest in the world. My teammates are my family, and my coaches push me to improve every day. We have the best facilities and housing. I love it!
WDFC: What’s it like dealing with players from all the over the world? Do you guys share the same goals and ambitions?
AR: I think we all love soccer and want to be the best we can be for as long as possible. We all dream of winning a World Cup or a gold medal!
WDFC: Do you guys have problems miscommunicating on the field because of different nationalities?
AR: Not at all: We all know each other’s names, and that’s pretty much all you need to know to call for the ball! And body language is soccer’s universal language.
Ali Riley: When I was 13, I tried out for the local club team and did not get selected. All my friends made the team and they were really excited about it. I could have quit right then and there, but I asked myself if I really loved soccer, and if I believed in myself. The answer was “yes,” so I put in extra work after school to improve. The next year I made the team, but that experience motivated me to keep getting better and setting my sights higher.
WDFC: What is your diet like? Is it restricted or do you eat all kinds of normal foods?
AR: I love eating, especially sweets! But I know that to be in the best possible condition I have to treat my body like a machine. You get out of it what you put into it! I eat a lot of meat and vegetables, and try to stay away from heavy carbohydrates. I try to only eat junk food as a little treat.
WDFC: How did you balance out studying and playing in university?
AR: It was tough! Luckily I went to a rigorous high school that prepared me really well. I knew how to balance my time and start assignments early so I never had to stay up late and jeopardize my soccer performance. During the playing season your social life suffers, but it is definitely worth it.
WDFC: Is life as a professional soccer player what you expected it to be?
AR: It has exceeded expectations! The level of competition is the highest in the world. My teammates are my family, and my coaches push me to improve every day. We have the best facilities and housing. I love it!
WDFC: What’s it like dealing with players from all the over the world? Do you guys share the same goals and ambitions?
AR: I think we all love soccer and want to be the best we can be for as long as possible. We all dream of winning a World Cup or a gold medal!
WDFC: Do you guys have problems miscommunicating on the field because of different nationalities?
AR: Not at all: We all know each other’s names, and that’s pretty much all you need to know to call for the ball! And body language is soccer’s universal language.
Wadi Degla FC Women
The Wadi Degla Women's team competes in Egypt's most prominent women's league and are currently the reigning champions. The majority of the players range in age from 16-23 and hail from the Cairo area. The Wadi Degla club is a primary participant in the 2010-2011 Soccer Without Borders/US Embassy joint women's soccer initiative in Egypt.
The Wadi Degla Women's team competes in Egypt's most prominent women's league and are currently the reigning champions. The majority of the players range in age from 16-23 and hail from the Cairo area. The Wadi Degla club is a primary participant in the 2010-2011 Soccer Without Borders/US Embassy joint women's soccer initiative in Egypt.
WDFC: What does it feel like to reach the top and compete in the World Cup?
AR: Playing in the World Cup and the Olympics was a dream come true. It is such an honor to play for your country and compete against the best in the world on such a public stage. I get chills singing the national anthem before those big games. Unfortunately, New Zealand did not do too well in the last World Cup, so we are really determined to show everybody how much we have improved since 2007.
WDFC: Who was and still is your favorite male player while growing up and why?
AR: Lionel Messi is my idol, but Brazilian fullback Dani Alves is my favorite player. I love watching Alves attack constantly even though he is a defender. He puts so much pressure on the other team that he barely has to defend! That’s how I want to play.
WDFC: How do you deal with social and psychological pressures on and off the field?
AR: I just tell myself to do my best, because that is all anybody can ask for. I focus on performance, not result, and always try to give 100 percent. I always try to keep things in perspective. While soccer is my passion, my family and friends are my life. I know that they will always be proud of me—that takes a lot of the pressure off!
WDFC: Have you ever disagreed or had problems with a coach? If so how did you deal with it?
AR: Keeping an open and honest line of communication is the best way to get along with a coach. If anything is ever bothering me, I address it early so things don’t get worse. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, but usually both parties have the team’s best interests in mind and have respect for each other, so it’s possible to find a solution.
WDFC: If there is one piece of advice you would give to women playing what would it be?
AR: Ignore the disbelievers, and seek out the supporters. People have said women can’t do this or can’t do that since the beginning, but we prove them wrong every day.
