After a 16-year club and national team career, Angel City FC defender and captain Ali Riley is retiring from soccer. She joins Sarah to discuss finding the balance between “Ali the Player” and “Ali the Person,” fighting to get healthy so she can say goodbye on the field with her teammates, and the injury struggles and personal challenges she’s battled over the last few years, including losing her childhood home to the Palisades Fire just days before her wedding.

• Follow Ali on Instagram here

• Listen to BFFR here 

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.