Angel City defender and New Zealand captain Ali Riley has been withdrawn from the Olympics by head coach Michael Mayne on medical grounds. The 36-year-old was set to participate in her fifth Olympic Games in Paris this week.
In a statement, Mayne expressed the difficulty of the decision, acknowledging Riley's dedication to preparing for the Games. He emphasized her veteran status within the team and the challenging nature of the choice to replace her.
After careful consideration and discussions, Mayne made the decision to replace Riley in order to bring another player into the squad for the three group games. This move was deemed necessary to optimize the team's performance given the limited time available.
Riley, who has represented New Zealand 162 times and played in five Women's World Cups, took on the role of captain for the Football Ferns in 2017. Her absence from the Olympic squad will be felt, but the team wishes her a speedy recovery from her injury.
Michaela Foster has been selected to replace Riley in the squad, while Grace Neville will step in as an alternate player for the upcoming Olympic Games.
