James Riley

7 Defender

James Riley
  • Height / Weight: 5-10 / 150
  • Age: 27 (10/27/1982)
  • Experience: 4 Years
  • Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • How Acquired: Selected from San Jose in Expansion Draft, November 26, 2008
  • Previous Clubs: San Jose (MLS, 2008) , New England (MLS, 2005-07)
  • Contributed a carer-high four assists in 2009
  • Two-time U.S. Open Cup champion with New England (2007) and Seattle (2009)
  • Started 94 times in 122 career appearances with New England, San Jose and Seattle
  • Coach Sigi Schmid: “James has improved every year in the league, good attacking right fullback.”

MLS Experience
2010: James has started every appearance, playing a team-high for outfield players 1698 minutes (4th in MLS). He has recorded two assists in league play this season, including vs. Dallas (7/11) and at Real Salt Lake (7/11). He was initially credited with a late goal vs. DC (6/10) but was later changed to an own goal. He has 11 career assists of his career assists. He missed the season opener to serve a suspension for a red card he received in the 120th minute at Houston (11/18/09) in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

2009: Solid two-way contributor at right back. Serving quality crosses, he finished with career-high four assists. Set-up game-tying goal at HOU (8/23) and game-winner at DC (9/12). Led Seattle field players with 2,334 minutes. Started 29 of 30 appearances, and played the full 90 minutes in 26, including both playoff legs vs. HOU (10/29, 11/8). Appeared in all six U.S. Open Cup games, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in five, including the final at DC (9/2).

2008: After spending three seasons with New England, was selected in the 2007 Expansion Draft by San Jose, played in 24 games, starting 23. Had two assists. Notched assist on game-winner at Colorado (4/19). Made seven consecutive starts at right back.

2007: Appeared in 27 games, starting 22 for New England. Played 2,137 minutes, helping New England finish second in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. Played full 90 minutes in 16 of first 17 games in defense. Entered as a sub in 90th minute at New York (10/27) in Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1. Subbed in 84th minute vs. New York (11/3) in Game 2. Subbed in Eastern Conference Championship vs. Chicago (11/8) in 82nd minute. Notched assist in 4-2 win at Rochester (7/7) in third round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Helped New England win first-ever USOC, playing a full 90 minutes in 3-2 win at FC Dallas (10/3).

2006: Started all 20 games in which he appeared, playing across the backline and on the left and right wing for New England. Suffered a complex ankle injury against Houston (5/27), causing him to miss eight games before returning to the lineup against Colorado (7/4) in his home state. Started the Revs’ Eastern Conference Championship game at D.C. United (11/5), playing all 90 minutes.

2005: Selected in Round 2 of the MLS Super­Draft (21st overall) by New England. Appeared in 23 matches for Head Coach Steve Nicol, starting 12. Recorded assist in first professional game at San Jose (4/2). Scored first professional goal against New York MetroStars (9/24) in the 85th minute to secure a berth in the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs.

College
One of the most versatile and consistent players in Wake Forest soccer history. Played in 82 games and started 79 in the back and midfield for the Demon Deacons, captaining the team as a senior in 2004. A key part of the team’s defensive backline that allowed 0.56 goals per game, just 3.76 shots on goal per game and posted 11 shutouts in 2002. Team was ranked No. 1 in the country two out of his four years.

Mother, Chong Horton, is Korean. Has a younger sister that lives in Washington D.C. Nicknamed "Giggles" or "Giggs" by his teammates. Played for 2004 Carolina Dynamo PDL Eastern Conference Champ­ionship team. Was a communications major with a sociology minor and a focus in business. Played club soccer for the Colorado Rush. Avid dancer. Has contributed time to the Ellie Fund, a breast cancer foundation, along with a number of other charities. Enjoys volunteering and believes it is his duty to be an ambassador for the game of soccer and the Sounders FC. Two-time high school All-American. Dean’s List student at Harrison High School. Worked as a repossession man and financial assistant for Prime Financial of Colorado Springs four consecutive summers. Favorite place to travel to is Costa Rica and his favorite soccer moment is starting the home opener at Gillette in 2005 against Columbus. Speaks a little Spanish and Korean. Voted one of Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelors by Boston Magazine in 2006.

No stats information entered.
Back to Top

More Photos

More Videos

Related Articles

Seattle Sounders FC

Follow on Twitter Forum

I want to upload a

You must fill out all required fields
  • jpg, jpeg
  • Min size: 467x365
  • Max file size: 4MB
  • .mov, .mpeg, .avi, .m4v, .mp4, .wmv, .flv
  • Max file size: 100MB
Pick a Date
yyyy-mm-dd
*What are Tags?

Tags help describe and categorize your photo or video and make it easier to find.

Click on one of the featured tags or start typing.

For your convenience, we will list the tags that begin with the letters you have started typing.

Your username will be displayed along with your upload.

Guidelines Terms of Service
Your upload wasn't successful. Please try again.
Please wait while your file uploads.
Close

Thank You For The Upload

Your upload has been added into our system. Photos can take up to 10 minutes to appear on the site. Videos can take up to 1 hour to appear on the site. Searching for your username or the title you entered will help you find your content.

What do you want to do next?

Close

You Must be Logged In To Upload Content.

Close
DiggDeliciousNewsvineRedditStumbleTechnoratiFacebookTwitter