A Richmond native, Richmond United and University of Richmond player, Fitzgerald will continue her hometown success on the pitch at City Stadium
Richmond, Va. — W League RVA is pleased to announce that midfielder Kiley Fitzgerald will join the team in its inaugural season pending league and federation approval. Fitzgerald, a sophomore at the University of Richmond, currently plays as a midfielder for the Spiders.
“Kiley is a hard worker with fantastic soccer knowledge and ability,” Sporting Director Madeline McCracken said. “She fits the mold of the type of player we are looking to bring into our system of play and team culture. Kiley will be an essential piece to the success of this club!”
Fitzgerald displayed her potential for the ‘Ders the second she stepped on campus. In her true freshman and sophomore seasons, she appeared in all 35 games, starting in 27 of them. She only missed one start in 18 games during the Fall 2023 season, facilitating opportunities on net in each of her appearances.
“I’m super happy for Kiley to be a part of this program,” Spiders Head Coach Adam Denton said, “It is a great opportunity and experience for her to have over the summer, and I wish Kiley and the city of Richmond all the best in their inaugural season.”
As for Fitzgerald herself, she’s ecstatic. “When I received the offer to play, I was almost in disbelief, and was overcome with pure excitement,” she said. “I was so thrilled to find out I had the opportunity to play for this program in its inaugural year. After having more time to take in this news, I am still just as excited as the first day I found out.
“We are already so thankful for the support and love the W League team has received since it was announced,” she continued. “Richmond has such an amazing soccer community, and I can‘t wait to see everyone come together to support this important step in the growth of women’s soccer.”
The sophomore’s collegiate success builds off of a stellar club foundation. A graduate of Glen Allen High School, Fitzgerald played for Richmond United (RU) all throughout her time there. For RU, she co-captained her team and helped them qualify for the ECNL National Playoffs. While there, she was selected for ECNL Mid-Atlantic Player Development Programs.
“Kiley has an incredibly high soccer IQ and has a very high ceiling for what she can, and will, accomplish,” W League RVA Head Coach Kimmy Cummings said. “She is a cultural beacon on and off the field — the type of player that we want as a role model for the Richmond soccer community. While her personality may keep her out of the spotlight off the pitch, her athleticism and explosiveness on and off the ball will keep her in the forefront as we kick off our inaugural season in City Stadium.”
In addition to her club play throughout high school, Fitzgerald made two All-Region First Teams and was ranked No. 21 on Top Drawer Soccer’s list of Mid-Atlantic Players in her senior year. Fitzgerald also showcased her technicality with the ball at her feet with the U.S. Youth Futsal National team twice and, in both call-ups, she helped the team to earn a championship.
“Growing up, I always dreamed of playing at a high level in front of a big crowd,” Fitzgerald said. “Having this opportunity to play with so many amazing women’s soccer players from Richmond, many of whom I admired when I was playing for Richmond United, is really special to me.”
