MEET YOUR HOSTS
Since a young age, Sydney Leroux has always had a tireless drive, and a very clearly defined goal: make the roster of the best soccer team in the world. That meant leaving Vancouver and moving to the United States. Alone. Which she did, at the age of 14. For the first few years, she lived with host families, honing her skills in the American youth soccer scene. That got her noticed, and from there, the goals kept coming. A full-ride scholarship to UCLA. NCAA College Cup appearances. A U-20 World Cup Championship and Golden Boot trophy. A place on the US Women’s National Team. And, ultimately, Championships in the 2012 Olympic Games and 2015 Women’s World Cup that made her an icon for the nation.
In 2016, she welcomed a son named Cassius, followed by her daughter Roux in 2019. With her children came yet another goal for Sydney -be as good a mom as she was an athlete. Not surprisingly, she continues to excel at both, maintaining the perfect balance between a loving family life and a successful career.
She’s a champion. She’s an icon. She’s a devoted mother and an athlete fired by an exceptional drive to win. No matter what Sydney faces, she approaches it with fearsome determination. And she gets it done with a smile and a wink. That’s evident in every game she plays for Angel City FC and with the US Women’s National Team. When you expect greatness, Sydney comes through.
SYDNEY LEROUX
Ali Riley stands as one of the most decorated and influential figures in women’s soccer, renowned for her exceptional achievements on the pitch and her significant contributions off it. A veteran of five FIFA Women's World Cups and four Olympic Games, Riley has earned over 160 international caps and has been a defining presence in the New Zealand Women's National Team for nearly two decades.
With a professional career spanning the world’s top leagues, she has played for some of the biggest clubs, including FC Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, and FC Rosengård. She returned to the NWSL with Orlando Pride before coming full circle in 2022 as the first-ever captain of Angel City FC, leading the club since its historic inaugural season.
As one of the few Asian American women to excel at the highest levels of professional soccer, Riley's unique journey of navigating culture, sport, and identity has made her a relatable and powerful voice for inclusivity and representation.
Beyond the pitch, Riley has cultivated a presence as a host, storyteller and creator, bringing her signature energy, authenticity and humor to everything from original content to live events and red carpets. She is also the author of Girls Gone Veg: Plant-Based Recipes by Athletes, for Everyone, a cookbook that showcases another dimension of her diverse talents.
