The National Women’s Soccer League wrapped up the 2025 season, the 13th year for the top-division competition in the United States pyramid. As expected, the majority of the United States Women’s National Team is developed domestically, with standout performances and consistent contributions leading to call-ups. Breakout rookie Riley Tiernan could be in Emma Hayes’ future plans, with her goal-scoring prowess on display during the initial months of the schedule. The 22-year-old Angel City FC striker
can finish clinically in a variety of ways and should continue to improve as a professional.
Raised in Voorhees, New Jersey, Tiernan was a four-year starter at Eastern Regional High School and contributed 85 goals and 85 assists in her career, winning the 2018 Group IV state title. At the club level, she competed with Players Development Academy and claimed the 2018 NPL National Championship. Her lengthy list of personal accolades includes but is not limited to three-time All-South Jersey, four-time All-State, two-time Regional All-American, 2020 United Soccer Coaches All-American, and All-American Game participant.
“She wants to be the best player on the field all the time, but she also knows for that to happen she needs the team to be successful too,” said Eastern head coach Jamie McGroarty in 2020. “And that’s the main goal, she always wants to win. A lot of kids with her ability are only concerned with stats, she just wants to win. She’s kinda like Wayne Gretzky, where you never see her get hit. She’s so deceptive with the ball and has that innate ability to get around people with little fakes.”
After verbally committing in the eighth grade, Tiernan matriculated to Rutgers University and started in all 25 matches as a freshman, contributing eight goals and 13 assists during the run to the College Cup semifinals while being named All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and All-North Region First Team. Her sophomore season included four goals and six assists in 20 appearances, followed by three goals and four assists in 20 fixtures as a junior. Her time on the banks of the Raritan River concluded with four goals and 11 assists in 18 contests, ending her Scarlet Knights career as the program’s all-time assist leader.
Last winter, Tiernan trained with Angel City FC as a non-roster trialist and impressed during the preseason with her “performance, attitude, and relentless work ethic,” getting signed to a two-year contract with a club option for an additional season. Grabbing an immediate spot, she started and played 90 minutes in the opener and proceeded to go on a torrid run of form, racking up eight goals and one assist in 26 appearances. The league twice named her the Rookie of the Month and selected her to the Team of the Month for May. Unfortunately, the forward saw her production slump toward the end of the schedule (coinciding with a poor run of form as her team missed out on a playoff spot) but was still nominated for Rookie of the Year.
“I was definitely not expecting to have a season like this,” Tiernan shared on the BFFR podcast. “I’ve always been a very confident player, and I consider myself a confident person throughout any challenges I may face, and I think that’s really important… For me to be starting and playing games, it was not something that I was expecting at all. I think it was nerve-wracking and a new entire environment for me to be in. I did not see any of this coming at all.”
At the international level, Tiernan trained with the United States Under-20 Women’s National Team in December of 2021. She was named to the roster for the Under-23 squad’s pair of friendlies against Germany last summer; her debut came in the opening 2-1 victory, a 27-minute appearance. The program included her for the subsequent camp from June 23rd through July 2nd in Commerce City, Colorado, that briefly ran alongside the senior group, followed by sessions in October and November. Hayes noted her improvement “in the right direction” and praised a “great year,” with further experience bridging the “massive” gap to the senior group.
Standing at five feet, eight inches tall, Tiernan is a rangy and “absolutely fearless” forward with a “high-motor, hard-working mentality that accompanies her technical skills.” She is a tireless, “relentless” counter-presser who is “always moving” with a high “soccer IQ” and a “strong, overwhelming presence,” capable of serving as a target player, “holding the ball off, making runs in behind, and [operating] in small spaces.” There is an improvised freedom to her game, using her athleticism, dribbling, and unpredictable choices to beguile opposing defenders and goalkeepers, paired with an unselfish nature and willingness to do the dirty job of angled runs and physical battles that open space for teammates.
“Tiernan is a giver of gifts; a capable distributor from the forward positions,” reads a report on Observation Station. “She has both the vision and technique to play incisive, dangerous passes. She also has a very strong tendency to float out wide and take people on, which has helped her create dangerous opportunities for teammates… [She has the] ability to ride challenges and twist up defenders on the wings. Considering how active she is as a crosser, her low assist count is disappointing on its face, but her crossing does create box chaos which can lead to goals… Her fake shot/chop move just appears to be unstoppable at this level, and it helps her quickly create separation on the ball to create passing and crossing windows… She is good at quickly beating defenders to get into a position to receive a ball, and then backing into them, bracing well for contact to prevent them from interrupting her first touch.”
Tiernan had a strong start to her professional career, but her production dropped as Angel City struggled to maintain momentum during the 2025 season. She has the talent to compete and, with improved consistency, should earn an invitation to a future USWNT camp. There are limited chances to enter the depth chart with the World Cup and Olympics coming fast, but at the age of 22, the forward has several future cycles during which to make her mark.
