Ali Riley, former Chelsea and current Angel City FC captain, has lost her home to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The New Zealand international shared heartbreaking images of her destroyed neighborhood on social media.
Riley, 37, played for Chelsea’s women’s team six seasons ago before moving to Bayern Munich. She has been with Angel City FC since 2022, leading the club as captain.
Wildfires Ravage Pacific Palisades Neighborhood
Riley’s home was among many destroyed in the Pacific Palisades area, where uncontrollable wildfires swept through earlier this week. The defender posted a chilling photo on social media, pointing out where her home once stood.
“This was our home. How is this real? It can’t be real,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). On Instagram, Riley described the devastation, saying, “Our entire neighborhood is gone. We are all safe, and I’m holding on to that while we figure out what to do next.”
Read More: LA Wildfires Cause Widespread Destruction
Riley emotionally recalled having dinner with her parents at the house just days before it was reduced to rubble. “I watched the sunset on Monday night, and now it’s gone forever,” she wrote.
Outpouring of Support Amid Tragedy
Riley has received overwhelming support from teammates, friends, and fans. Many expressed their sympathy and solidarity on social media. Her club, Angel City FC, also offered its support during this difficult time.
The Los Angeles wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least five people, with 137,000 residents evacuated. The fires have caused widespread destruction across the city’s upscale neighborhoods.
Riley’s soccer career includes a stint at Chelsea in 2018, where she made 16 appearances and scored two goals. She also won nine trophies during her time with Swedish club Rosengard.
Angel City FC, her current team, plays in the National Women’s Soccer League and is co-owned by actress Natalie Portman and tennis legends Venus Williams and Billie Jean King.
Riley is now focusing on rebuilding and moving forward while staying strong in the face of such loss.
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