That darn whistle. Like clockwork, it’s always there.

It’s a reminder. It’s a scolding. It’s a kick in the shorts.

Once or maybe twice per match, the tireless Riley Wolfe grows tired. It’s subtle enough that you or I wouldn’t notice it.

Only one person does: his mother. And she lets him know about it.

“It started when I was young. If I ever stopped running or working on the field she would whistle at me – one quick whistle and I knew what she meant,” Wolfe said. “She still does it today at least once per match.

“She played soccer herself and she always wants me to keep working hard.”

Mother’s message has been well received by the U18 LA Galaxy winger. Because if there’s one thing Wolfe always manages to do on the pitch, it’s work.

Blessed with more speed than height, Wolfe can run with the best of them. He’s an aggressive attacker who doesn’t shy away from the dirty work and never shuts down his motor. Well, not while mom’s watching anyway.

Wolfe’s full-speed ahead approach has taken him to some impressive places in his young career. He’s committed to Duke next season, and the nationally recognized program will surely benefit from his industrious style.

Wolfe has benefitted from his time while a part of the U.S. national team program while competing alongside players like Jonathan Kempin, Perry Kitchen, Zac Herold and Jack McInerney. He accompanied the U17 squad to Brazil two summers ago and also went with the U18 team to Portugal.

“The (national team) put me in situations where I was uncomfortable at first, but it’s helped me grow so much as a player,” Wolfe said. “I learned a lot just from being around the passion of other soccer countries and have taken that with me.”

With this being his final year of club soccer, Wolfe is looking to collect all the lessons he can for the next level.   

He’s excited about this season’s Galaxy team which he says is focusing on a national championship with players like Joshua McNeely, Gabriel Rivera, and Nathaniel Schnitman.  

When he isn’t on the field, Wolfe watches soccer incessantly on the television and attends just about every Galaxy home game.

As a part of the Galaxy program, Wolfe has some nice resources around him as none other than David Beckham has shown up at a training or two.

“Watching what he is able to do with the ball in the midfield – and to see what he sees on the field, is amazing,” Wolfe said. “He’s a really humble guy. The first time I met him he was watching me play with the U20 reserves and I think he took an interest in me because I was the little guy on the field.”

Wolfe is addressing that “little guy” thing with extra training. He’s working on his upper body strength to help him go shoulder to shoulder with bigger players and is also focusing on his fitness.

Fitness is already one of Wolfe’s major strengths, but he knows there’s still work to do.

And there always will be - as long as he hears the whistle.