Riley Parker (soccer) explained

Riley Parker
Fullname:Riley Grace Mattingly Parker
Birth Name:Riley Grace Mattingly[1]
Birth Date:31 March 2000[2]
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, United States[3]
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Tampa Bay Sun
Clubnumber:31
Youthyears1:2015–2018
Youthclubs1:Edward S. Marcus High School
Youthyears2:–2017
Youthclubs2:Solar SC
Collegeyears1:2019–2022
College1:Alabama Crimson Tide
Collegecaps1:74
Collegegoals1:25
Clubs1:SouthStar FC
Years1:2019
Clubs2:Alabama FC
Years2:2022
Goals2:5
Clubs3:Racing Louisville
Years3:2023
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Clubs4:Tigres (loan)[4]
Years4:2023
Caps4:8
Goals4:2
Clubs5:Tampa Bay Sun
Years5:2024–
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Club-Update:April 29, 2024

Riley Grace Mattingly Parker (; born March 31, 2000) is an American professional women's soccer player who plays as a forward for USL Super League club Tampa Bay Sun.

Early life

Parker was born and raised in Dallas, Texas,[3] and attended Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. As a child, she appeared on an episode of the children's television show Barney & Friends.[5]

Youth career

Parker played youth soccer for Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) club Solar SC,[6] reaching the state conference championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and placing third at the 2015 ECNL National finals. She also played high school soccer at Edward S. Marcus High School, where she was named the team's most valuable player in 2016 and 2017.[3]

Parker committed to playing for the University of Alabama in 2015.

College career

On February 19, 2021, in the first half of the first match of the 2021 spring season, Parker tore her right anterior cruciate ligament, which forced her to miss both the spring and fall seasons.[7] She graduated magna cum laude in 2021 with a bachelors of arts in communication and information sciences.[1]

After redshirting her senior season, Parker scored 17 goals in her final season as a graduate player, setting an Alabama single-season record. The Crimson Tide reached a program-best No. 1 national ranking during the season[8] and advanced to the Women's College Cup semi-finals for the first time.[9] [10] Riley also served as team captain during her final season.[11]

In October 2022, Parker was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team and SEC Forward of the Year.[12] In November 2022, she was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy.[13]

Club career

While still attending the University of Alabama, Parker played for Women's Premier Soccer League clubs SouthStar FC in 2019 and Alabama FC in 2022.[14] [15]

Racing Louisville FC selected Parker with the 31st-overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.[10]

Racing Louisville FC, 2023

On February 1, 2023, before the start of the 2023 NWSL season, Racing signed Parker to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[16] The following day, the club loaned her to Tigres UANL of Liga MX Femenil for the 2023 Torneo Clausura.[17]

On August 17, 2023, she was waived by Racing Louisville.[18]

Tigres UANL (loan), 2023

Parker debuted for Tigres on March 5, 2023, against Club Léon as a 59th-minute substitute for Belén Cruz. After earning a yellow card for an altercation with Léon player Ruth Bravo, who made contact with Tigres forward Mia Fishel during a substitution,[19] Parker scored the first goal of her professional career in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.[20] [21]

Tigres finished second in the Clausura and reached the Liguilla semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Club América.[22]

Tampa Bay Sun FC, 2024–

Parker signed with the Tampa Bay Sun on April 29, 2024, ahead of the inaugural USL Super League season.[23]

Personal life

Parker married former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver John Parker in 2022.[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The University of Alabama Spring Convocation One Hundred Ninetieth Commencement . April 30, 2021 . June 6, 2023 . . 50.
  2. Web site: Riley Parker 31 . . June 6, 2023.
  3. Web site: 10 Riley Mattingly Parker . June 6, 2023 . Alabama Crimson Tide.
  4. Web site: Riley Grace Mattingly . . June 6, 2023.
  5. News: Riley Parker: Del show de Barney a Tigres Femenil . Riley Parker: From the Barney show to Tigres Femenil . March 9, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . POSTA México.
  6. News: The Cross Timbers Gazette . July 14, 2015 . June 6, 2023 . Beau . Moon.
  7. News: Riley Mattingly Parker leading the way during a special season for the Alabama women's soccer team . October 15, 2022 . June 6, 2023 . 1819 News . Steve . Irvine.
  8. News: Alabama women's soccer rises to first No. 1 ranking after win over Arkansas . October 17, 2022 . June 6, 2023 . . Maxwell . Donaldson.
  9. Web site: Riley Parker . . June 6, 2023.
  10. News: Alabama Soccer Makes History with Three Players Selected in NWSL Draft . January 12, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . BamaCentral . Katie . Windham.
  11. News: The Riley Mattingly Parker Phenomenon . October 12, 2022 . June 6, 2023 . BamaCentral . . Mason . Smith.
  12. 2022 SEC Soccer Awards Announced . October 30, 2022 . June 7, 2023 . Southeastern Conference.
  13. 2022 Women's MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists Announced . November 30, 2022 . June 6, 2023 . Missouri Athletic Club.
  14. Web site: Schedule . June 6, 2023 . Women's Premier Soccer League.
  15. News: Reyes, Mattingly and Streicek take on new challenges during the Alabama Soccer offseason . June 15, 2022 . June 6, 2023 . . Martha Glen . Sease.
  16. Racing signs draft pick Riley Parker to contract . February 1, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . Racing Louisville FC.
  17. Racing signs star forward Uchenna Kanu, loans Riley Parker . February 2, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . Racing Louisville FC.
  18. Web site: Racing makes roster moves as World Cup stars return.
  19. News: Riley Parker y su aguerrido debut . Riley Parker and her fierce debut . March 6, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . POSTA México . Grace . Herrera . es.
  20. News: Liga MX Femenil, Clausura Week 8: Riley Mattingly Parker scores in Tigres debut . March 7, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . The Equalizer . Rachael . Kriger.
  21. News: ¡Eufórica! Así reaccionó la hermana de Riley Parker por el gol en Tigres Femenil . Euphoric! This is how Riley Parker's sister reacted to the goal in Tigres Femenil . March 6, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . MedioTiempo . es.
  22. News: Liga MX Femenil, Clausura Semifinals: América and Pachuca complete upsets to move on to Final . May 31, 2023 . June 6, 2023 . The Equalizer . Rachael . Kriger.
  23. Web site: Tampa Bay Sun FC Strengthens Inaugural Roster with Signing of Forward Riley Mattingly Parker and Defender Vivianne Bessette . TampaBaySunFC.com . . 29 April 2024.