TACOMA SIGNS FORMER SOUNDER JAMES RILEY

by Pete Richmire

TACOMA, WA. – The Tacoma Stars have announced the  signing of 11-year Major League Soccer veteran and former Seattle  Sounder James Riley for the upcoming season. As per Major Arena Soccer  League and team policies, terms of the agreement were not released.

About  his signing and representing our region again, Riley had this to say.  “I am thrilled to be back in the PNW raising a family. It goes without  question that my time as a player with the Seattle Sounders were some of  the best of my career. I represented this great city to the best of my  ability, and I remain humbled that my commitments both on and off the  field are still recognized. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to  have the opportunity to compete and represent this vast region once  again as a member of the Tacoma Stars. I can't wait to get to work!

Over his MLS career, Riley appeared in 251 games with 230 of those  being in the starting XI. The Colorado Springs, Co. native and Wake  Forest University alum will add to an already strong Stars defense. He  was named the Seattle Sounders Defender of the Year in 2010 and twice  was awarded the team’s Humanitarian of the Year honor. Prost Amerika  awarded him as the Seattle Sounders FC Player of the Year in 2009.

Riley  also was awarded the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month in  October of 2010 for his work towards breast cancer awareness. Winning  awards dates back to Riley’s college days at Wake Forest. He won the  Walt Chyzowych Award in 2003 and followed that up the following year by  being named the Team Captain. Being a leader is a career-long trend with  Riley as he was also named 2018 Captain for Cascadia Association  Football Federation for the CONIFA Football Cup.
Riley will bring a  winning mentality to the team as he is a five-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open  Cup Champion and picked up an MLS title with the Los Angeles Galaxy in  2014.

Stars General Manager and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky  commented on what Riley brings to Tacoma. “James is a true professional  in the game we love, and he is a proven winner at the highest level.  Adding his leadership qualities, along with his proven track record,  helps bolster our team for the upcoming season. We needed a veteran  defender that buys into the
team first mentality here and he ticks  every box. Our roster is getting close to being finalized and we are  very excited to get going with James and the group.”

Tacoma Stars  owner, Lane Smith, added, “James is an all-around great guy. An  outstanding, passionate player and longtime ambassador of the game at  many levels. We are very excited for him to join the Stars family. His  skills as a player combined with his community outreach is a perfect fit  for the Tacoma Stars organization.”  

Riley comes to the Stars looking to add to his collection of on-field  successes as well. In addition to his U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup  Championships, he has also been a three-time MLS Cup finalist, three  time MLS Eastern Conference Champion, and MLS Western Conference  Champion in 2014. Riley also won a National Futsal Championship in 2004  while a member of the Pittsburgh Futsal Club.

The Stars kick-off  the season on Saturday, December 1 against the Turlock Express.  Guarantee your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84 or go to  www.tacomastars.com.

There’s still time to purchase 2018-2019  Season Tickets or a Legacy Membership with the Tacoma Stars. Guarantee  your seat to all the action by calling 1-844-STARS-84, or emailing  info@tacomastars.com, or go to www.tacomastars.com.

Single game  tickets to all the Tacoma Stars home games are on sale now. Head to  tacomastars.showare.com to purchase your tickets.

Want free  tickets to a Stars game? All you have to do is buy 20 or more tickets at  our group rate to our home opener, Saturday, December 1st, and we will  match the amount purchased with free tickets to another home game this  season! Get your group together quick because this offer ends on October 26. Call Group Sales at 1-844-STARS-84.