While the NWSL Playoffs are in full swing, so too are the 2025 NWSL Season Awards. Players will tell you its all about the team, all about raising that NWSL Championship at the end of the year, and yes that may be true, but its also always nice to be recognized for the hard work you put in individually throughout the season. Nominees were announced today by the NWSL and Angel City FC forward Riley Tiernan has been named a 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year nominee for her performance in her first year in the league.
SHE IS THE MOMENT!✨ Rookie Riley Tiernan has won this week’s @NWSL Player of the week AND Goal of the Week!
Sound off in chat! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iM1RtMteQR
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 3, 2025
More incredible than the actual nomination, is how the rookie got to this point. Tiernan joined the club ahead of the 2025 season as a non-roster invitee, heading into preseason. For those who may not know, as the name suggests, it is a player that isn’t on the roster officially, under contact, but is allowed to participate with the team in training, providing an opportunity for young players to either earn their place on the roster or get a look from other teams around the league. Tiernan mad the absolute most of her chance, as she immediately stood out in her short preseason with the club. She scored a goal during the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational tournament and put in several performances that had the club signing her to a multi-year contract ahead of the start of the regular season.
While not an iron woman this season, Tiernan did start all 26 matches for Angel City FC this season, tallying eight goals, serving up one assist, and logging 2,206 minutes on the season for the club. Her first goal also secured the team’s first win of the season, coming against Seattle Reign FC, on March 30th.
A first professional goal to remember! 🙌
Riley Tiernan scores in front of the @weareangelcity faithful! pic.twitter.com/FPg1TbVdEc
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 31, 2025
The goals kept coming from that point on for the rookie as she finished the season leading all NWSL rookies in goals scored. The eight goals also put her in second for most goals scored in the NWSL by a rookie, and set a new Angel City FC single-season scoring record. Her standout debut season earned her a selection to NWSL Best XI of the month for the month of May, as well as back-to-back NWSL Rookie of the Month honors for May and June. Now, she looks to add the icing on the cake by taking home the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year award. Fans can vote HERE to help boost the Angel City forward, with voting open until November 12th 5pm PT/ 8pm ET. You can also watch the 2025 NWSL Awards live on November 19th at 5:30pm ET on ESPN2.
Thoughts on Riley Tiernan earning a Rookie of the Year nomination? Leave a comment below!