Good Follow - North Carolina Courage Midfielder Riley Jackson Talks NWSL Signing, Career Goals, Pressure & More
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Hey everyone, welcome to Good Follow presented by DraftKings. I am Logan Hackett and today we are talking to the 2022 Gatorade National Player of the Year, USA U-17 World Cup co-captain, U-20 World Cup bronze medalist, and current member of the U-23 national team, plus NC Courage's very own Riley Jackson. How are you Riley? I'm great, super excited to be here, thanks for having me on.

So happy to have you. And, you know, I'm so fascinated by all of the success that you have had at such a young age. So I want to dive straight into it. Coming out of high school, you had offers from powerhouses like North Carolina and Florida State, but then you committed to Duke.

Now instead of doing all of that, you decided to go sign in the end of your cell when you were just 17 years old. So I'm so curious, what went into the decision to go to the end of your cell instead of going to college? It was the hardest decision of my life. I always say that. I was blessed to receive so many amazing opportunities. Obviously it wasn't easy getting those opportunities, so I was super excited to, you know, I always had the plan to go play in college because at the time that's what everyone was doing.

The main reason I decided to sign for North Carolina is I had trained with them a couple of times in the summer and I just immediately fell in love with playing here. The second I stepped on the field, I didn't want to get off. I actually, it's kind of a full circle moment. Sean was the coach. Sean, Nathan, and Vic were all on staff at my very first national team camp when I was U15. And that was right before COVID. So that camp happened and then our cycle got cut short. So they were never on staff again at any of my national team camps. Um,

So I was already familiar with them. And obviously I was getting recruited by UNC. So like I knew Damon, Sean's brother. And I just love the state of North Carolina. Like obviously I was getting recruited by UNC and Duke and I committed to Duke. So it was kind of inevitable that I was going to end up in North Carolina. But for me, like my biggest goals have always been just to get better every single day. And I felt like

in this environment, I was just getting pushed to my max. And for the small week that I trained here in the summers, I felt like I was a completely different player when I left and went back to my home environment. And the main thing for me, the timing of my signing, I was actually going to visit my Duke coaches while I was training here.

And before I went to go visit my Duke coaches one day, Sean called me into the office and was like, Hey, like we want to talk to you, just bring your dad. And so I was like, Oh,

okay, this is kind of weird timing. And so I went in there and talked to him and he basically presented this whole idea of signing me. And I was just blown away. I was like, oh my gosh, I didn't even think this was a possibility for me. And sorry, I need to backtrack because this story has so many layers. I know, I love it. The reason I even had the meeting with Sean is I was supposed to be training with Courage the whole week.

And I had had a stress fracture earlier in the year and like about February. And I was training with them in July and I had healed and was recovered and playing, but I was still in a little bit of pain. And I was like, I can't keep playing on this. So I needed to go home and go see the doctors again. And so the reason I was going to visit my Duke coaches in Sechon on that day was because I was actually ending up going home rather than staying the whole week. And so he was like, before you go home, before you go see your Duke coaches, like come in and talk to us. And so I was like, okay. And he presented this and I was like,

whoa like I'm injured like I you know I have so much going on like this is really crazy I have to finish high school and he basically was like no like we want to invest in you and that made me feel like really cared about because it's like I I can't even play right now like I I need to get surgery you know all this stuff and so I just felt like the club really cared about me and I felt like

the girls really cared about me. I felt like I fit right in with them. And that was a big thing for me. I was so much younger than all the girls. So training here, I was like so nervous and shy. And just the way that they welcomed me into the environment was amazing. And I was just like, obviously Duke, amazing people. I still have friends there that play there. Robbie, it was such an amazing coach. Sad he retired, but it's still awesome. Like their success last season was amazing. So that opportunity is also great. So I was like, oh,

But my dream from day one was always to play pro. And I was like, I can't pass up this opportunity. And one more narrative story. Sorry, I'm like rambling. There's so much. At the time I was 17 and the draft was still a thing. So once I turned 18, no matter what, even if I went to college for a year, I was going to have to go into the draft.

And so the like choice that I had to like sign for North Carolina was a big thing for me because I didn't want to get drafted to another club where I maybe wasn't going to like the coaches as much and fit into the style of play. And like, I didn't know if they really like cared about me the way that I felt cared for at North Carolina. So just all those factors made it seem like a good decision for me. And now I'm super happy that I made that decision, obviously, and took a lot of faith and praying. So very happy with where I'm at. I absolutely love that. And

I mean, you hear about everyone investing or certain people investing in others in women's sports, but just the fact that NC Courage came to you so early and they even presented you with a position or opportunity to possibly be able to choose another club, as you mentioned, if you could go to the draft, but you decided to stick with them. That's saying a lot. But you also mentioned that you were 17 when you signed with them. And in 2021, Olivia Moultrie sued the league, which allowed the under 18 mechanism to

So for those who are listening who don't know, what does this entail and how was your experience different to one who gets drafted? So basically when the draft was a thing, once I turned 18, I would have to put my name in and then whoever could potentially draft me. And then once you get drafted, you still have to earn a contract, which is also like so scary.

Because you put in all the work and you're like, yeah, I got drafted. And then you're like, oh my gosh, now I have to work even harder to get the contract, which is great and so rewarding once you do. But it's also like, there's a little bit of uncertainty. So for me, passing up the opportunity to have a college scholarship was a big deal because I was like, I need to make sure that like,

I am getting the opportunity that's like equal or even better than what I was getting before because like the landscape still needs to grow to where we're like making more money and all that and like you know equal pay and everything is like so it's you know tough so I needed to make sure that like the money that I was making the opportunity I was getting like getting better as a player was going to propel me to places that were like better than what I was getting in college because that was such a great opportunity so.

Oh my gosh, I love that. And I want to fast forward to once you got in the league and started playing. I mean, I'm sure you grew up or I pretty much know that you grew up watching all of these legendary players like Alex Morgan, Kelly O'Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn. What was it like to be in a league playing against those players still as a teenager?

oh my gosh insane i remember i had like obviously i've had so many moments where i'm just like whoa like this is so sick and crazy um there's one moment i remember in particular i last season i subbed in against gotham and i was marking rose lavelle and i was like this girl has been my idols for however long i can remember and there's actually a photo from that game of me

with the ball between Rose LaBelle and Crystal Dunn. And when I saw that photo, I was like, oh my God, you're kidding me. Like, this is insane. And just like shaking their hands after the game. It's like, this is awesome. But I've had so many moments where I'm just starstruck, like playing against Marta like a month ago. I'm like,

Wow. Crazy. So I'm super grateful just for the opportunity to learn from these players, play against these players. Obviously it's tough because they're so good, but it's just like so many great opportunities for me to get better. Have you had any cool jersey swaps so far? No, I haven't yet. They're kind of a stickler with who, like giving away our jerseys because we only have two. Oh really? I had no clue. I literally thought they were just like coming out like as much as you want. I wish.

That's good.

I think back to when I was 19, I mean, I was a college athlete, but while you're a college athlete, you're still able to have fun and kind of be 19 while also playing your sport and excelling and doing all the athletic stuff. But you do this on such a different level. So how do you juggle growing up and kind of maintaining your age while still being a pro? That's a really good question. I feel like going into it, that was the thing I was most scared about was just like not having that social aspect of being in college.

But at the same time, like Sean actually let me finish high school and I got to go back for graduation and do all that. So I felt like I was at a point in my life where if I had gone to college, like it probably would have only been for like a semester and then I would have gone to pro. So I'm like, why not do it now? But on the other hand, my teammates are my best friends. Like obviously when I signed, I was 17. I was this little shy girl, but yeah.

the amount that has changed in the past two years is unreal. I'm super close with everyone. I feel like they're all my older sisters. I'm the oldest in my family, so it's super nice for me to have so many older sisters because I've always been in that role. It's also nice because I'm close to Duke and UNC, so if I ever want to go see my friends there, I'm able to do that. And I also have a really great community outside of soccer here, like my church and a lot of people my age and that. So

It's really awesome. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything just because I'm super happy and content with where I'm at. I'm trusting that this is where I'm meant to be. And with some of your teammates being, I mean, 10 to 11 years older than you, is there anyone you go to for specific advice?

um danny weatherholt's my locker buddy and so we're always chatting i feel like she is like super easy to talk to and it's like we get along really well we have a good connection um and then i love mayor meredith speck she's just like the team mom honestly and uh i just love her so much i call her mary mary because she's just so cute um but no i love everyone i think it's a kind of known that the courage has such an amazing culture like our locker room is

unmatched. So super grateful for everyone.

Yeah, that is so incredibly important. And now I want to talk about a landmark game in your career. Last July, we had the Summer Cup. You were playing against Racing Louisville and you came in to score your first NWSL goal, which just so happened to be a stoppage time equalizer. And then when the game went to PKs, you scored the opening kick to get the win. So how do you stay calm in these situations while also being under pressure to pretty much get the W? Yeah, um...

at halftime of that game. So last season was definitely a journey for me. Just trying to like break into the lineup. I mean, I got good minutes here and there, but the summer cup was really an opportunity for me to play and showcase my ability and my growth throughout the year. So at halftime, Nathan, our assistant coach came up to me and was like, right, like go out there and prove yourself. Like you got this. And so I was like, all right, you know, I do got this. And I, in warmup, like I was really feeling myself with like my finishing. And so

um, when I received the ball in that moment, um, Monaco was my roommate last year. So we were really close and she was like, wow, you got this. Like, come on. And so I received the ball on the top of the box and I hear Monaco go, shoot it, shoot it. And so I was like, all right, I'm going to rip it. And so when I scored, I was just like, actually so excited. I think Monaco tried to jump into my arms and I like off of me. Cause I was just like, oh my gosh, this is awesome. And my grandparents were there, which was super exciting in terms of the PK. Um,

I've missed plenty of PKs in my life. And I think

I like don't have a fear of missing them because I know like it shows my character as a player to step up in those moments. And I also think like missing them helps me be better under pressure because then I know what I need to do differently. I can learn from those moments. And so that's been a learning curve for me because I'm super hard on myself and like hate making mistakes and I'm a very much perfectionist. But like, I think just like having the willingness to step on, step up in those moments, like I know 95% of the time it's going to go wrong.

how I've planned it visualization has really helped me in those moments too like under pressure I'm like okay you've done this a thousand times in training you can do it here and so in that moment I think I had actually missed my PK the week before against Orlando and Nathan was like we're putting you right back in like the PK lineup and I was like thank you like that's what I want like the faith and the trust in me is something that goes beyond PKs and stuff in this environment it's just like the belief that we have in each other and the staff has in us is like

really great. And so I think just like having that support behind me also really helped in the moment. And yeah, I mean, I have the mentality that's like, I'm never going to miss two in a row. Like if I miss one, I'm going to score the next one. And I think that's good with like anything in my career is like learning from mistakes is really important, especially being young. Like I don't use being young as an excuse for anything. Like I don't think that's valid. I think everyone should be on the same playing field, no matter their age.

But I think it is important to give myself some grace and learning and growing as a player. So. - Absolutely. Oh my goodness. I feel like the next generation could definitely learn so much from you. I mean, just hearing you speak right now, I'm retaining everything and I'm not even a soccer player, but I have to say, I love, love, love how you go about everything and your mindset. And I've noticed that you have some writing on your wrist tape during games, but I have not been able to decipher it. What does it say?

Okay, so it says RTF with a little heart. It's something I started doing in high school with my high school team because my dad was my high school coach and we won the state championship my freshman year. So I just have like a special association to that time. But it means remember the feeling.

And I write it every game. And I think it serves as a reminder because I think it's so easy to get caught up in like the pressure of the game and like what's going on, what's not going your way. And so I think it's super easy just to remember or look down at your wrists and like have that little reminder of like the joy and why you play and remember why you started in the first place. So I think that's something that just really helps like center and ground me. And then I recently started adding three Fs to my wrist tape because my dad...

my dad's super awesome and super cheesy. He's an English teacher, so he loves like all sorts of quotes and stuff like that. But he's been telling me like fun, focus, freedom, because I think, like I mentioned, especially stepping into a new, newer role this year on the team, playing more minutes, I think it's hard to get focused on, to get the tunnel vision of like

what isn't going your way, I guess. And so just like remembering the joy and the fun in the game is the most important thing. And that's like the advice that I give to like younger players when they talk to me and they're like, well, what do I need to do? I'm like, have fun because that's when you're playing your best. And that's what I've noticed about myself is when I'm playing with freedom and fun, that's one of my best. So this is like a little reminder of just like, take a deep breath. You're here to have fun. I love that. I feel like

that having fun is so misinterpreted 'cause even when I was playing, I mean, everyone was like, go out and have fun. I'm like, I can't have fun. I have to be focused. And as you said, I'm also a perfectionist. So it's so hard when things don't go my way. And I feel like I'm still kind of learning how to deal with that.

It is true. Having fun, you let loose and you're not really thinking about anything. That is the best recipe to have a good game. But when I was looking into some of your background between NWSL and national team, you're being referred to as the future of U.S. soccer. So how do you handle all of the pressure while still being able to perform? That's a good question, too. I think it's really helpful to talk to your teammates about

And just like have that belief in yourself. Like I have learned to have 100% confidence in what I'm capable of.

And I also think like my faith has helped a lot in that and the pressure because I know that things aren't necessarily always in my control. But my last question when it comes to your career is you have accomplished so much already. What are your goals going forward? Oh, gosh, I have so many goals for myself. I think it's really important to set like little goals inside of big goals. But I obviously everyone's dream is to play for the national team, the full national team. And so that's that's

really like what I want next like I would love to play in the 27 World Cup but you know like little goals inside of that I think are important like making my first camp you know like scoring a goal at home here like little things that like I can do to help me get there I think are important but yeah I want to play for the national team but I don't just want to like play once like I want to be a staple player and I want to have an impact um

in that environment and like be an inspiration for younger players the way that those players were an inspiration for me. Like I just recently, I met Lindsay Horan at the Air Force. We were in San Diego and I was like, because I'm close to Jaden on my team. I was like, Jaden, Jaden, please introduce me to her.

i was like having such a fangirl moment but like that's what i want to be one day for younger girls just have that um inspiration factor um i also would love to play in europe at some point i'm super happy with where i'm at right now with the courage but would eventually i hopefully have a long career ahead so i'd love to experience um different things in soccer and life so

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I have absolutely loved this. I mean, just hearing everything, I know everyone else will love it as well, but I want to get to a game now. And there is a running joke on this show that I'm the youngest and sometimes Roz, our other host, and the team don't know what I'm talking about when I say certain things. But now that we have you here, I want to play a game of In-N-Out Gen Z Edition. So are you ready? I'm so bad at this game, but okay.

I'm like not on TikTok or anything. So I feel like I'm really bad with trends too. Oh, really? Is that by choice? Yeah. Well, I gave it up for Lent a couple of years ago and I haven't gotten it back and I'm like good because I'm actually, you know, going to bed at a decent time now. So.

That was actually a conversation we were just having. I can't delete TikTok because it's my job, but I'm trying to scroll a lot less because I feel like my brain is just withering away here. But the first topic is actually huge on TikTok right now. Do you know what a labubu is? No, I can't.

It's like these little, oh gosh, it's like a troll looking doll. And I'll find a picture on my phone and people are attaching them to their purses, but they're kind of scary. I feel like I've maybe seen it, but I feel like maybe one of my friends has one. Probably. I would not doubt that. They look like this. Yes, I've seen that. Yeah. Do you think they're in or out? Personally, I wouldn't have one, so I guess out.

I agree. They're too scary for me. The next one is wearing pimple patches in public. I guess in because I don't judge, but I wouldn't do it. I agree. It's more of a nighttime thing for me. Yep. And then next is skinny jeans. Out. Agree. What about barrel jeans? Out. I agree with that as well. So they would look so stupid on me.

And then high waisted bottoms or low waisted? Because low waisted are in right now, but some people prefer high. I like low waisted for sure. And what about slick backs?

I do like a good slick back. It's hard in the summer here because we get so sweaty. So I like wash my hair a lot. But you know, sometimes you got to do what you got to do and go with the slick back. This one is very specific. Going to college. Is it in or out? I feel like that's so hard. It depends and it's

Um, I'll say out since I didn't go. Ooh, love that. And actually quick question. If you went to college, what would you have studied? Um, I really wanted to do journalism. I love writing kind of a nerd when it comes to stuff like that. Um, so I'm actually doing online college right now doing two classes at a time, super slow, but you know, I just wanted to do something to take my mind off of soccer sometimes because it can be all consuming. So.

I love that. Is your degree in journalism? It's in marketing right now, but I'm hoping to get some opportunities in journalism soon. Wow, you truly do it all. Oh my gosh. Okay. What about Summer Fridays, the lip balm? In. I love that stuff. I agree. That one's my favorite.

Which one, sorry? I don't know if you've tried that one. Oh, yes. Love mint. Love, love, love. I have vanilla. Vanilla is my go-to right now. What about chat GPT slash AI? Okay, I'm going to expose myself. I was like so out with this until I started doing online college and my friends are like, Riley, it will change your life. So I'm going to say in moderation.

Once you start entering, like, the right prompts, it's very much in. I like writing, so I don't want it to, like, kill writing. You know what I mean? But, like, for busy work, in. Absolutely. What about, I mean, you don't have TikTok, but Twitter or X? I also don't have time.

So we're going out on that one. Actually, this is interesting because with you not having social media, I'm not too sure if you are not social media, but those ones, I'm not too sure if you would be keeping up with the reality TV drama. Do you watch reality TV? I do watch it with my mom. Like she'll have it on and I'll get sucked into it and we watch it. I've been trying, like everyone's watching Love Island right now. But I haven't had time because I'm into like four week summer courses. So I'm just like crammed with work, but I'm really sad about it because I love hearing it.

and I wish I could keep up with it. That was going to be my next question. I'm pretty sure the rumor is one of the people on it lives in my apartment building. So yeah. Oh, interesting. Yeah, for sure. Maybe ask them some questions. I mean, I don't know. What are the last ones? How do you do your hand heart? I'm really curious. Here.

Okay, yes, I do the same. But there's the people who do like, I couldn't figure that out with my fingers. I don't know. No, I feel like it hurts. Like, that's not right. Yeah, you said you don't judge. But what about judging people based off their zodiac signs? Definitely not. I don't really know much about that. Like some of my teammates are really into it. And so like, they're always saying stuff about zodiac signs. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, totally. Like,

like you're a clean girl clean girl static in or out in for sure yeah absolutely love that and then last question actually second last question what are your gen z hobbies outside of soccer

I don't know what is like considered a Gen Z hobby, I guess, but I do a lot of yoga, hot yoga. I guess that counts. I love it. The studio is like a couple of steps from my apartment. I like reading a lot. Summertime, like cool beach. I love the beach. And being on this team has gotten me into drinking coffee. So I recently bought like the Breville nice espresso machine. So I'm like trying to figure out how to be my own little barista at home. So

That Breville machine is so hard to use. I have one. My mom and I were like, oh my gosh, this is going to be life changing. We're going to have people over just making everything. We cannot figure it out at all. I've wasted so many beans. It's really sad. And lastly, before you go, what are your top five emojis right now? Oh my gosh. Am I allowed to pull out my phone to look at this? Yeah. I honestly have no idea. I use quite a few emojis. So there's a huge range now. Let's see.

Honestly, probably lots of hearts. Okay, so like the red heart, the little like smiley face where it has like the blushed cheeks, the heart with the fire emoji, and then like kissy lips like that. And then the one with the one eyebrow up. Yes. And the straight eye. Yeah.

I completely, those are so good to like convey all of your emotions too. Oh, and this one where the girl's like this, I use that one a lot. Like, so yeah, that's funny, but they change a lot. So.

Yes, all the time is literally just looking at my when we were talking about them and I have stickers in there and all these ones. I'm like, I don't know where those came from. But anyways, thank you so much, Riley, for joining us. I really, really enjoyed just hearing what you had to say and going through your journey. And y'all, that is it for this week's episode of Good Follow. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and all of our socials at Good Follow Show. Good Follow is presented by DraftKings. See you next week.