Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Explained

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi
Birth Date:27 June 2002
Birth Place:Berkeley, California, United States
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Tacoma Defiance
Clubnumber:85
Youthclubs1:Mavericks SC
Collegeyears1:2020–2023
College1:Washington Huskies
Collegecaps1:76
Collegegoals1:6
Years1:2023
Clubs1:Crossfire Red
Caps1:4
Goals1:5
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:Tacoma Defiance
Caps2:11
Goals2:0
Years3:2024
Clubs3:Seattle Sounders FC (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Club-Update:June 11, 2024

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (born June 27, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for the Tacoma Defiance in MLS Next Pro.

Early life

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]

College career

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] [2] Ahead of his senior season, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Preseason Team.[7] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and the All West Region Second Team.[8] He was also invited to the MLS College Showcase.[9] Over his four seasons, he scored six goals and added 11 assists in 76 appearances.[10]

Club career

In 2023, Kossa-Rienzi played with the Crossfire Red in the National Premier Soccer League.[11]

At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Kossa-Rienzi was selected in the first round (23rd overall) by the Seattle Sounders FC.[12] [13] After participating in pre-season with the first team,[14] he signed a contract with their second team, Tacoma Defiance, in MLS Next Pro in March 2024.[15] [16] During the 2024 season, he went on short-term loans with the Seattle Sounders first team, making his first start on May 22 in a U.S. Open Cup match against Phoenix Rising FC in which he scored his first goal for the club, which was the winning goal in a 2–1 victory to help the club advance to the quarter-finals.[17] [18]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crossfire Red2023[19] National Premier Soccer League45331088
Tacoma Defiance2024MLS Next Pro110110
Seattle Sounders FC (loan)2024Major League Soccer1000210031
Career total165333100209

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hard work, humility and dedication paying off for Berkeley soccer star Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. June 11, 2019. MaxPreps. Greg. Bates.
  2. Web site: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Washington profile. Washington Huskies.
  3. Web site: Huskies Start 2021 With A Bang. February 4, 2021. Washington Huskies.
  4. Web site: No. 3 Huskies Remain Undefeated with 2-0 Win at Portland. September 24, 2021. Washington Huskies.
  5. Web site: Eight Huskies Receive All-Pac-12 Honors. November 16, 2021. Washington Huskies.
  6. Web site: Ten Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees. November 15, 2022. Washington Huskies.
  7. Web site: Four Named To Pac-12 Preseason Team. August 22, 2023. Washington Huskies.
  8. Web site: Seven Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees. November 14, 2023. Washington Huskies.
  9. Web site: Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Invited To 2023 adidas MLS Showcase. December 5, 2023. Washington Huskies.
  10. Web site: Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Selected In 2024 MLS SuperDraft. December 19, 2023. Washington Huskies.
  11. Web site: Kossa-Rienzi, Crossfire Red Take Team Approach to NPSL National Semifinals. July 27, 2023. National Premier Soccer League. William. Engels.
  12. Web site: Sounders select UW’s Kalani Kossa-Rienzi with their top pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Jayda. Evans. December 19, 2023. The Seattle Times.
  13. Web site: Seattle Sounders draft Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. Tim. Ostlund-Foss. December 19, 2023. Sounder at Heart.
  14. Web site: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi makes strong early impression. January 29, 2024. Jeremiah. Oshan. Sounder at Heart.
  15. Web site: Tacoma Defiance Signs Kalani Kossa-Rienzi and Antino Lopez. March 7, 2024. Seattle Sounders FC.
  16. Web site: Defiance sign Kossa-Rienzi and Lopez. March 7, 2024. Sounder at Heart. Tim. Ostlund-Foss.
  17. Web site: SEAvPHX Starting XI: Cristian Roldan wears the Captain's armband, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi gets first start with First Team. May 22, 2024. Seattle Sounders FC.
  18. Web site: Match Recap: Sounders FC Defeats Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. May 23, 2024. Seattle Sounders FC.
  19. Web site: 2023 League Stats. https://web.archive.org/web/20230823164131/http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/league/topten.php?leagueId=MTUxNg%3D%3D. National Premier Soccer League. August 23, 2023. dead.