Wake Forest Athletics
Riley Is Revelation For The Revolution
4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 26, 2005
BOSTON - Steve Ralston's face was so drawn, he was ordered off the Revolution bus before the team's flight to Washington last Friday. Ralston missed the team's 4-3 win over D.C. United Saturday night and is not expected to travel for tomorrow's game at Chicago, having lost 6 pounds because of a bronchial virus.
Though Ralston has been the most consistent and productive outside midfielder in Major League Soccer in recent seasons, emerging as a starter on the US national team, the Revolution have been able to compensate at his position with James Riley. Against United, Riley was matched with Steve Guppy, a veteran of 16 seasons in England, and provided key plays as the Revolution took a three-goal lead in the first half.
"Guppy's advantage was sheer experience, but overall [Riley] came out on top," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "There is no better way to get experience than to play in games.
"James is doing a great job for us and I have no doubt he will keep doing a good job. He gets up and down the field, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that he is good with the ball and has a good understanding of the game."
Riley, 22, made his MLS debut at San Jose April 12 as a second-half substitute for Cassio and within minutes found Taylor Twellman for the tying goal in a 2-2 deadlock. In a three-minute span against United, Riley's cross resulted in a penalty kick conversion and his composed advance into the middle of the field led to a Marshall Leonard goal.
In the Revolution's 3-5-2 alignment, the outside midfielders' first responsibility is to support defensively, which means any offensive advancement can be perceived as a potential risk. But Riley has been able to achieve a balance, supporting the three defenders and also contributing to the attack.
"Guppy was real quality, a clinical player," Riley said. "That was a real awakening playing against someone like that. He was not going to beat me for speed but so far he is the best I've played against."
Riley has been a major revelation, since he never has been involved in national team programs and performed mostly as a defender in college at Wake Forest.
"Fortunately, I've gotten an opportunity and I'm doing the best I can with it," Riley said. "I will do anything I can to help the team."
Riley began considering a professional career as a 12-year-old, attending the Colorado Rapids' opening match in Denver. Riley started playing as a second-grader in Colorado Springs, eventually choosing soccer over basketball as a high schooler.
"Everyone's ambition growing up is to go to Europe to play," Riley said. "But I wanted to be part of the MLS, and any time there was a game, we put on the TV. I liked anyone on the Rapids, from Paul Bravo to Steve Trittschuh, and I watched all the guys on this team [the Revolution]."
Riley grew up with his Seoul-born mother, Chong, after his parents were divorced when he was a youth. But Riley's success with the Revolution led to a reconnection with his father, who now lives in Florida.
"He called me the other day and I didn't recognize his voice, it has been so long," Riley said.
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | April 26, 2005
