It’s been well over a year since Angel City captain Ali Riley last put on her kit and boots. She was placed on the season-ending injury list in April 2024 for a chronic leg injury and has been sidelined since.

But on Thursday night, Riley made her long awaited return to BMO Stadium.

Riley was all smiles walking out onto the pitch for warmups alongside teammates Evelyn Shores and Sveindís Jónsdóttir. She was greeted by fans cheering for her right outside the tunnel entrance.

Though Riley didn’t clock any game minutes in Angel City’s exciting win over Orlando, she, quite literally, was just happy to be there.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to describe what tonight meant to me. It holds a different space in my heart than my other favorite football moments,” Riley posted to Instagram. “Just to stand in the huddle with my teammates and pass the ball in warmups and feel the energy of La Fortaleza again was more than I dared hope for. Plus three points? Pinch me. Thank you to everyone who celebrated this impossible moment with me, especially my Angels. I love you all so much.

After the game, her teammates showered her in love – and in water – to celebrate the moment. She was pulled into the middle of the huddle, beaming as her team made a moment of her return.

Even Kelley O’Hara was on hand for the game, complete in her own Riley No. 5 jersey.

In an Instagram post, Riley wrote: “In my phoenix era.” Riley, from the ashes.