The ever-reliable Riera impressed Ernie Merrick when his Auckland City side faced the Phoenix in a pre-season match two years ago, earned a trial and then a contract in Wellington and the rest is history. He has become one of the best and most disciplined defensive midfielders in the A-League, shielding the back four superbly. 

Riera has a wide range of passing, rarely gives the ball away and even though he missed the last ten games of his first season with injury, was still named the Phoenix’s Player of the Year. He needs just six more appearances to rack up 50 games for the club.