Riley Tiernan Signs With Angel City FC of NWSL

LOS ANGELES – Riley Tiernan of Rutgers women's soccer has signed a professional contract with Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), announced by the club on Monday.

Tiernan has signed a two-year contract through 2026 with a club option through 2027. She has been training and competing with Angel City since being named to the 2025 preseason roster as a trialist.

"Going pro has been my dream since I was a little girl," said Tiernan. "I grew up watching my sister [Madison Tiernan] play. She was a professional as well. This has been an amazing journey and it feels even better that I earned it. I have a lot of great people surrounding me, so I'm really excited to be a part of this community and play in front of the awesome fans at BMO Stadium."

Tiernan heads to professional soccer following a historic collegiate career with the Scarlet Knights. The Voorhees, New Jersey native leaves Rutgers as the program's record holder in career assists with 34, which is also sixth in Big Ten history. Tiernan is a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection and four-time All-Big Ten honoree, including First Team and Freshman of the Year awards in 2021.

With 72 career points on 19 goals and her record 34 assists, Tiernan was a crucial part of four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and a pair of Big Ten Tournament Championship Game appearances. She also helped lead RU to an undefeated Big Ten title in 2021 – the first for all of Rutgers Athletics – on the way to the College Cup that season.

Tiernan follows in her sister's footsteps into the NWSL. Madison Richard was drafted by Sky Blue FC 24th overall in 2016. Tiernan also joins classmate Emily Mason, who was signed by Seattle Reign FC last month, in the NWSL for the 2025 season.

Tiernan and Mason will be two of four Rutgers alumni in the NWSL to start 2025, joining Casey Murphy (NC Courage) and Madison Pogarch (Utah Royals).

The 2025 NWSL season begins March 14-16, with Tiernan's Angel City visiting San Diego Wave on Sun., March 16 at 6:50 p.m. ET.

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