Presented By:
7 Defender
- 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.
More Photos
- Thank You
- Warm Ups
- Fredy Montero
- James Riley
- Thank You
- Celebrating the Win
- James Riley
- Team Huddle
- Montero Goal Celebration
- Sounders FC 2, Colorado Rapids 1
- Nathan Sturgis
- Kasey Keller
- Free Kick
- Kasey Keller
- James Riley
- Starting 11
- Free Kick
- Leo Gonzalez
- James Riley
- James Riley
- James Riley
- Leo Gonzalez scores
- Freddie Ljungberg
- Leo Gonzalez celebration
- Leo Gonzalez celebration
- Leo Gonzalez shoots
- Steve Zakuani celebrates
- Steve Zakuani celebrates
- Kasey and James
- Sounders FC 3, Boca Juniors 0
- Sounders FC 3, Boca Juniors 0
- James Riley
- Pat Ianni
- James Riley
- New look lineup
- James Riley
- Terry Boss
- Sounders FC starting 11
- James Riley
- Brad Evans
- Brad Evans
- James Riley
- Pat Noonan
- James Riley
- Fredy Montero
- James Riley
- James Riley
- James Riley snaps Tyson Wahl
- Sanna Nyassi
- Nathan Sturgis
- Lamar Neagle
- James Riley
- Win!
- James Riley
- Sigi Schmid
- Patrick Ianni
- James Riley
- James Riley
- James Riley
- Osvaldo Alonso
- James Riley
- 58,000 sq ft Performance Center
- Riley and Zakuani
- James Riley
- James Riley
- James Riley
- Free Kick
- Kasey Keller
- James Riley
- Starting Lineup
- Sounders vs Wizards
- Sounders fall to Revolution
- Sounders fall to Revolution
- Sounders fall to Revolution
- Seattle Sounders FC vs. Chivas USA
- James Riley
- John Legend and James Riley
- James Riley
- Starting 11
- Beckham gets Red
- James Riley
- Starting 11
- Blanco free kick
- James Riley
- James Riley
- Soundes FC vs. Chelsea FC
- leslie
- Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo
- Le Toux scores on PK
- Nate Jaqua
- James Riley
- Fredy Montero
- Starting Lineup
- Celebrating Alonso
- James Riley
- Celebrating Alonso
- Sounders FC 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
- Sounders FC at Chivas USA
- Click to see photo
- Sounders FC vs. Los Angles Galaxy
- Sanna Nyassi
- Celebrating King
- James Riley battles
- Sounders FC Group Huddle
- Seattle Starting 11
- Seattle Starting 11
- James Riley
- Ben Dragavon
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- Game 2 - Real Salt Lake
- The Inaugural Game
- The Inaugural Game
- The Inaugural Game
- Red Bull New York vs. Sounders FC
- James Riley greets a fan
- Buenos Aires Day 6
- La Bonbonera
- Patrick Ianni
- Click to see photo
- Nate Jaqua
- Sanna Nyassi
- Riley and Montero
- Riley on the attack
- Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
- Steve Zakuani
- Coaching in the sun
- Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua
More Videos
- Chicago Fire Preview
- Marathon Preview
- CONCACAF 201: What is it like playing away from Qwest?
- State of the Club
- Washington Special Olympics Soccer Team at Nationals
- Earthquakes Preview
- Rapids Preview
- A More Disciplined Team
- DC United Preview
- Sounders FC 1, FC Dallas 1
- FC Dallas Preview
- World Cup Bracket Challenge
- Sounders FC 2, DC United 3
- A Short Week of Training
- Sounders FC 0, Rapids 1
- Boca Juniors Preview
- Happy Mother's Day
- Columbus Preview
- Electron Boy Saves the Sounders
- James Riley and the Skyway Boys and Girls Club
- United We Serve at Franklin High School
- Zakuani's First Goal of 2010
- Red Bulls Preview
- Riley Back in Action
- Final Week of Training Camp
- Return from Spain
- Training Camp - Spain Day 1 & 2
- Training Camp - Arizona Day 2
- First Day of Training
- 2009 STH/Alliance Celebration
- MLS W.O.R.K.S. Playground Project
- Regular Season Wrap
- Unlike Anywhere Else
- Monday Practice
- Crossbar Challenge Episode 5
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Chivas USA Preview
- Tuesday Practice
- Riley and the Trophy
- Behind The Scenes
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Revolution Preview
- Galaxy Preview
- Barcelona Preview
- Looking to Rebound
- Leonardo Gonzalez
- Sounders FC 0, Fire 0
- Give Us Your Full 120
- Chelsea Preview
- Rapids Preview
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Rapids Preview
- The art of finishing
- Get Your Kicks
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Galaxy Recap
- To Mom ...
- Galaxy Preview
- Barca Coming To Seattle
- Taylor Graham interviews James Riley
- Earthquakes Preview
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Chivas USA Preview
- Unbreakable
- Sounders FC Lay Down The Challenge
- Let It Snow?
- Sounders FC Weekly
- Haircuts and Superstitions

