In just one year, Lilly Reale has shown the NWSL that she’s the “Reale” deal.
The 22-year-old signed her first professional contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC in January. Now, just ten months later, she’s flourishing as the team’s starting left back and is considered a top contender for Rookie of the Year. She’s also caught the attention of the USWNT and recently earned a well-deserved second call-up.
Reale, who grew up in Hingham, Massachusetts, should be on everyone’s radar as one of the most promising young players in the NWSL. At Gotham, she’s not only started most games but plays a core role in both the defense and attack.
Sound difficult? Reale makes it look easy.
But although she carries herself like somebody with far more years of experience, Reale said the adjustment from playing at UCLA to playing professionally came with plenty of challenges.
“The NWSL is just a whole different beast. You can watch as much film as you want, feel as confident and as prepared as you might feel in college, but I think the jump is one that every player feels and really has to learn how to manage,” Reale said.
The NWSL means playing with and against some of the best players in the world, including ones she’s looked up to for years.
“You might be able to rely on your athleticness in college, but I think you really have to pay attention to the little technical and tactical details when you make that move to the NWSL,” Reale said.
Going pro also meant another big change—playing in a new position. While Reale was a center back at UCLA, Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós converted her to a left outside back. The switch allows Reale to unlock some of her excellent offensive abilities.
“I really admire the way that the coaches and my teammates have pushed me to adapt to this position and really bring out some of the strengths that I can carry from center back into outside back,” Reale said. She’s adapted successfully; although she said the positional change was a challenge, you wouldn’t know it while watching her send expert crosses into the box.
But despite the move, Reale is still a defender at heart. She said that if she had to choose, she prefers defending over attacking.
“I’ve always been a natural born defender,” Reale said. “I think I’m a super competitive and aggressive player, so as fun as it is to attack and to be a part of the goal scoring, I feel like the beauty really lies in trying to protect your goal.”
Going into her first USWNT camp in June, Reale was a little nervous but mostly excited. Her goal was to learn as much as possible from the players around her. She already knew some of the other players from Gotham and youth national teams.
“It was an opportunity that I had been waiting for since I was a little kid, but one that I won’t forget forever,” Reale said. “I think it was just a really unique and special time to step into that.”
Reale ended up starting two matches and even had an assist in her first game against Ireland. Her performance was strong enough to earn her a second call-up in October.
“I think Lilly Reale is showing steady progression,” said USWNT coach Emma Hayes after the defender’s debut. “It’s great to have a left footer as an option on that side. Strong defensively, tough to get behind. I think there’s more levels to Lilly.”
But even amidst so many exciting accomplishments, Reale approaches things in a refreshingly level-headed way. Mostly, she’s just trying to strike the right balance between giving herself grace and pushing herself to grow.
“I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself,” she said. “But at the same time, just demand more of myself and really try and grow every day that I can in this new environment.”
What’s next? how about chasing 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year honors.
Stay tuned.
