After 11 years in Major League Soccer, former Seattle Sounders defender James Riley has hung up his boots one last time. Now, Riley is making the move from the pitch to the front office as he joins MLS as the newest director of player relations.
“I remember watching the first game on television and being ultra-excited and going to the Colorado Rapids inaugural home game and wishing to one day be on that field," Riley said to MLSsoccer.com after moving to the league's offices in New York. "To kind of have that come full circle I think is a role that’s important and one that I take seriously.”
Riley spent three seasons in the Emerald City and quickly became a fan favorite, making 84 appearances and scoring one goal. Riley took to social media to announce the news and posted a video highlighting his shift from player to league executive.
James Riley 7 from RB Content Lab on Vimeo.