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Byrd making her mark in national soccer

| January 29, 2025 8:00 AM


Even as a sophomore, Riley Byrd is making her mark in the soccer world. Byrd was recently the only Montana player chosen for the 2009 Olympic development Region IV team, where she recently played in the national tournament in Orlando, Florida.

The team did well in the round robin tourney, with two wins and tie, she said.

Byrd played center back and outside back for the squad.

She’s been playing since she was 4 years old and recalled scoring 12 goals in her first game (there was no goalie).

But today, she really enjoys defense.

“I like defending our goal and making sure we don’t get scored on,” she said.

 The Region IV team featured 16 players from California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and Alaska.

She said playing with the best from the West was a challenge.

“It’s definitely a big change,” she said. “The speed of play is fast and I learned a lot.”

This was the third time she was invited to try out for the regional team, but the first time she made it. The 2009 designation is the birth year of the players.

This spring she plans on playing ball in the Flathead United league and her goal is to play in college and hopefully, beyond. Playing in the Olympic league could help to that end, as college scouts often go to the games.

“I definitely want to play in college and see where that takes me,” she said. She said her favorite player is Carli Lloyd. Lloyd stayed with the Byrd family when she visited the Flathead for a camp in 2022.

Byrd is also a key member of the Columbia Falls varsity soccer team. Last season she had 13 goals and 9 assists for the Wildcats as a midfielder.

This coming season she’ll be a junior and likes the team, which will have a blend of young and veteran talent. She also plays basketball for the Cats and enjoys hiking, swimming and skiing.

She encouraged any player interested in sharpening their soccer skills to try out for the Montana team. Any player, she noted, can try out.

Byrd is the daughter of O’Brien and Melanie Byrd. O’Brien is the boys’ head coach and Melanie is an assistant with the girls’ team.