Kaleigh Riehl Explained

Kaleigh Riehl
Fullname:Kaleigh Ann Riehl[1]
Birth Date:21 October 1996
Birth Place:Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Height:5 ft 8 in
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Utah Royals
Clubnumber:18
Youthyears1:2004–2015
Youthclubs1:Braddock Road YC
Collegeyears1:2015–2019
College1:Penn State Nittany Lions
Collegecaps1:101
Collegegoals1:2
Years1:2018
Clubs1:Washington Spirit Reserves
Years2:2020
Clubs2:Sky Blue FC
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2020–2021
Clubs3:Paris FC (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2021
Clubs4:Racing Louisville
Caps4:21
Goals4:0
Years5:2022–2023
Clubs5:San Diego Wave
Caps5:22
Goals5:1
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Utah Royals
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2013–2014
Nationalteam1:United States U18
Nationalyears2:2014–2016
Nationalteam2:United States U20
Nationalyears3:2017–2019
Nationalteam3:United States U23
Nationalcaps3:8

Kaleigh Ann Riehl (born October 21, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Utah Royals.

Riehl has represented the United States at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels.[2] She was called up to the senior team training camp in January 2019.[3] Riehl played for Penn State at the collegiate level and was the 11th pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, going to Sky Blue FC.[4]

Early life

Riehl was born on October 21, 1996, in Fairfax Station, Virginia. She played with Braddock Road Youth Club '95 Elite for 11 years, with whom she won several competitions.

College career

Riehl played with Penn State University for her entire college career. As a freshman, she started all 27 matches. She was named to the Big 10 all-freshman team and helped lead the team to winning the NCAA Championship. She was redshirted for the 2016 season, during which she started for the U.S. six times at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. As a sophomore, she started all 24 matches and recorded 13 clean sheets. As a junior, she started all 25 matches, recorded 13 clean sheets, and was named Big 10 defender of the year. As a senior, she started all 25 matches. Over all four years, she set the NCAA record for minutes played as an outfield player with 8,847 minutes played.

Club career

Sky Blue FC, 2020

On January 16, 2020, Riehl took part in the NWSL College Draft. She was the 11th pick, being chosen by Sky Blue FC. Riehl made her professional debut in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on July 4, 2020, against the Utah Royals FC.[5]

Racing Louisville, 2021

On November 12, 2020, Riehl was selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft.[6]

San Diego Wave FC, 2022–2023

On December 16, 2021, Riehl was selected by San Diego Wave FC in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft.[7]

Utah Royals, 2024–

On November 20, 2023, the Utah Royals announced that Riehl had been acquired in a trade from San Diego.[8]

International career

Riehl has played for multiple youth national teams throughout her career. In January 2020, she was called up for the senior team training camp.[9]

Honors

Penn State Nittany Lions

San Diego Wave

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 – List of Players: USA . . 15 . November 8, 2016 . November 18, 2020 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190630051738/https://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/84/86/81/fu20wwc_2016_squadlists_neutral.pdf . June 30, 2019.
  2. Web site: Kaleigh Riehl – Women's Soccer. Penn State University Athletics. en. January 28, 2020.
  3. Web site: Two-Time U-20 World Cup Defender Kaleigh Riehl Added to USWNT ID Camp Roster. www.ussoccer.com. en. January 28, 2020.
  4. Web site: NWSL 2020 College Draft. intive. www.nwslsoccer.com. en-US. January 28, 2020.
  5. Web site: Utah Royals FC 1–0 Sky Blue FC. NWSLSoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. July 4, 2020. July 4, 2020.
  6. Creditor. Avi. Louisville Takes USWNT's Heath, Press to Headline Expansion Draft. November 13, 2020. Sports Illustrated. November 12, 2020 . en-us.
  7. Web site: National Women's Soccer League Official Site NWSL . January 8, 2023 . www.nwslsoccer.com.
  8. Web site: Utah Royals FC Acquires Kaleigh Riehl From San Diego Wave FC . November 20, 2023 . www.rsl.com/utahroyals.
  9. Web site: Kaleigh Riehl added to USWNT roster for ID Camp. SoccerWire. en. January 28, 2020.
  10. Web site: San Diego Wave claim 2023 NWSL Shield . October 19, 2023 . CONCACAF. October 17, 2023 .