Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (born June 27, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for the Tacoma Defiance in MLS Next Pro.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 27, 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Berkeley, California, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tacoma Defiance | ||
| Number | 85 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Mavericks SC | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | Washington Huskies | 76 | (6) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023 | Crossfire Red | ||
| 2024– | Tacoma Defiance | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 31, 2024 | |||
Early life edit
Kossa-Rienzi played youth soccer with Mavericks SC.[1] He attended Berkeley High School, where he was named the WACC-Foothill Player of the Year, the North Coast Section Player of the Year, an All-USA Second Team selection, and an All-American, as a junior.[1][2]
College career edit
In 2020, Kossa-Rienzi began attending the University of Washington, where he played for the men's soccer team.[2] He recorded an assist in his collegiate debut on February 4, 2021, against the Northwest Eagles.[3] On September 24, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal in a 2-0 victory over the Portland Pilots.[4] At the end of his sophomore season, he was named an All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention.[5] In 2022, he was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and the All-Far West Region Second Team.[6][7] Ahead of his senior season, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Preseason Team.[8] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and the All West Region Second Team.[9] He was also invited to the MLS College Showcase.[10] Over his four seasons, he scored six goals and added 11 assists in 76 appearances.[11]
Club career edit
In 2023, Kossa-Rienzi played with the Crossfire Red in the National Premier Soccer League.[12]
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Kossa-Rienzi was selected in the first round (23rd overall) by the Seattle Sounders FC.[13][14] After participating in pre-season with the first team,[15] he signed a contract with their second team, Tacoma Defiance, in MLS Next Pro in March 2024.[16][17]
References edit
- ^ a b Bates, Greg (June 11, 2019). "Hard work, humility and dedication paying off for Berkeley soccer star Kalani Kossa-Rienzi". MaxPreps.
- ^ a b "Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Washington profile". Washington Huskies.
- ^ "Huskies Start 2021 With A Bang". Washington Huskies. February 4, 2021.
- ^ "No. 3 Huskies Remain Undefeated with 2-0 Win at Portland". Washington Huskies. September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Eight Huskies Receive All-Pac-12 Honors". Washington Huskies. November 16, 2021.
- ^ "Ten Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees". Washington Huskies. November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Washington profile". Washington Huskies.
- ^ "Four Named To Pac-12 Preseason Team". Washington Huskies. August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Seven Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees". Washington Huskies. November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Invited To 2023 adidas MLS Showcase". Washington Huskies. December 5, 2023.
- ^ "Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Selected In 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Washington Huskies. December 19, 2023.
- ^ Engels, William (July 27, 2023). "Kossa-Rienzi, Crossfire Red Take Team Approach to NPSL National Semifinals". National Premier Soccer League.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (December 19, 2023). "Sounders select UW's Kalani Kossa-Rienzi with their top pick in the MLS SuperDraft". The Seattle Times.
- ^ Ostlund-Foss, Tim (December 19, 2023). "Seattle Sounders draft Kalani Kossa-Rienzi". Sounder at Heart.
- ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (January 29, 2024). "Kalani Kossa-Rienzi makes strong early impression". Sounder at Heart.
- ^ "Tacoma Defiance Signs Kalani Kossa-Rienzi and Antino Lopez". Seattle Sounders FC. March 7, 2024.
- ^ Ostlund-Foss, Tim (March 7, 2024). "Defiance sign Kossa-Rienzi and Lopez". Sounder at Heart.
External links edit
- Kalani Kossa-Rienzi at Soccerway