Football: New Zealand captain Ali Riley welcomes teammates to LA as World Cup build-up continues

Football Ferns captain Ali Riley is in Los Angeles dreamland, because both of her 'football families' are in the same city.

New Zealand's in town to face Mexico on Saturday, while it's the home of her star-studded club side Angel City FC.

LA is home for Riley, and this week the Football Ferns have joined her under the Californian sun.

Football Ferns captain Ali Riley against Netherlands.
Football Ferns captain Ali Riley against Netherlands. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

The New Zealand captain's relishing having her Ferns in the hometown of her club side Angel City FC.

"It's so nice for me to have my two worlds, and two families collide," Riley told Newshub.

Riley's newest family was founded by actress Natalie Portman, and has grown into the biggest female-led ownership group in professional sport, containing A-listers like Eva Longoria and Serena Williams. 

At times it's hard to avoid being starstruck.

"Let alone when Jennifer Garner and Glennon Doyle come and give us oranges after games.

"Seeing now Alexis Olympia cheering Serena [Williams] on, and they were at the US Open on Monday, and they had come to our game in New Jersey on Sunday."

X-factor that's helped revitalise the women's game.

"What I've seen so far, it really is inspiring other public figures, men and women, to invest in women's sport.

"It's what we need."

But right now, Riley's focus is on the Ferns, their preparations for next year's home World Cup continues with games against Mexico on Saturday and the Philippines on Wednesday.

"I would say for these games, we want to win," Riley adds.

Two from two would be the ideal scene to play out in LA.