From weekend matches to intense training sessions and local fields to BMO Stadium, let’s take a look at the Southern California-based clubs that helped shape some of ACFC’s premiere talent.
Ali Riley
Defender Ali Riley is a Pacific Palisades native and graduate of Harvard-Westlake (along with teammates Alyssa and Gisele Thompson), and played for clubs LA Breakers FC and Real SoCal. LA Breakers FC was formed in 2018 through a merger with the Westside Breakers and FC Los Angeles. Riley went on to captain the Stanford soccer team and was named Pac-10 Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Gisele Thompson
Newcomer Gisele Thompson, sister of teammate Alyssa Thompson and Harvard-Westlake graduate, played for Real So Cal (now known as LAFC Youth Recreational League) before transitioning to play with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat, which was founded in 2010 as Ventura County Fusion. Thompson also played for the U.S. at the 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship.
Thompson was due to play at Stanford until ACFC signed her to a three-year contract.
Alyssa Thompson
Like her sister Gisele, Thompson graduated from Harvard-Westlake, where she scored 48 goals in just 18 games. She and her sister grew up…
