Natasha Kai
Kai in 2021
Personal information
Full name Natasha Kanani Janine Kai[1]
Date of birth (1983-05-22) May 22, 1983
Place of birth Kahuku, Hawaii, United States
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Forward
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Sky Blue FC 37 (11)
2011 Philadelphia Independence 17 (9)
2016–2017 Sky Blue FC 21 (4)
2019– LA Galaxy OC
International career‡
2004–2006 United States U-21
2006–2009 United States 67 (24)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team competition
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place2007 ChinaTeam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 19, 2011
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 21, 2009

Natasha Kanani Janine Kai (born May 22, 1983) is an American professional soccer forward and Olympic gold medalist. She previously played for Sky Blue FC and the Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer and National Women's Soccer League as well as the United States women's national soccer team. In 2011, Kai was also part of the first US women's rugby union sevens team to play in the IRB Women's Sevens Challenge Cup held in Dubai.[2]

Early life

University of Hawaiʻi

Kai played for the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Wahine from 2002 to 2005. She was named WAC player of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2005, and was named a third-team All American in 2003.[3]

During Kai's standout career, she set multiple WAC records. She was named WAC Freshman of the Year in 2002, becoming the first soccer player to be named Freshman and Player of the Year in the same season. She also became the first player in WAC history to earn three Player of the Year awards and First-Team all-conference honors all four seasons. Kai owns the WAC career shots record (446) and is second in goals (72) and points (162). She finished her college career with 72 goals in 73 matches.[4]

Playing career

Women's Professional Soccer league

Sky Blue FC

On September 16, 2008 the initial WPS player allocation was conducted; Kai was allocated to Sky Blue FC with fellow US Women's National Team players Heather O'Reilly and Christie Rampone.[5] Kai's electrifying play on offense was key in Sky Blue FC's 2009 WPS championship season.

Philadelphia Independence

On December 21, 2010, Kai signed a deal to play with the Philadelphia Independence. On July 6 she scored a hat trick against her former team, Sky Blue FC.

National Women's Soccer League

Washington Spirit

In February 2013, Kai was selected during round four (25th overall) of the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft for the inaugural season of National Women's Soccer League.[6] According to a press release of the Spirit, she was recovering from a knee injury, and was expected to begin play around the start of the 2013 NWSL season.[7] Kai never played for the Washington Spirit.

Sky Blue FC

On February 11, 2016 Sky Blue FC announced the signing of Kai for 2016 season.[8][9] She played through the full season scoring 4 goals before getting surgery on her left ankle for a reoccurring injury on September 26, 2016.[10]

United Women's Soccer

Los Angeles Galaxy OC

Kai joined LA Galaxy Orange County, a team in the United Women's Soccer league, in 2019. Her first appearance was on June 30, 2019. She scored a goal for the team in its 2019 UWS playoffs match against the Houston Aces on July 13, 2019.[11][12]

International

Youth team

Kai was first brought in with the U.S. U-21 Women's National Team in 2004, and was the leading scorer in the team with 12 goals, including six in international matches. She helped lead the U-21s to the Nordic Cup title in Iceland, scoring three goals in the tournament including two against Germany. She injured her shoulder in her final college game of 2004, then re-injured it again in her first U-21 camp of 2005, necessitating surgery, and did not get called into an U-21 camp until January 2006.[4]

Senior team

Kai started her first training camp with the full United States Women's National Soccer Team in February 2006. She made her full Women's National Team debut at the 2006 Algarve Cup in Portugal,[13] scoring in her first two games against Denmark and France, as a substitute. She became just the fourth player in U.S. WNT history to score in her first two caps.[1]

Kai scored four goals in her first seven WNT matches, including the winner in a 1–0 victory over Japan on May 9, 2006. She went on to become the first-ever player from Hawaii to play for the full Women's National Team and to make a Women's World Cup Team. She played in 17 games during her first year on the National Team, starting in four matches. She scored six goals, two of them in the 2006 Algarve Cup. She also scored against Japan, Ireland, Canada and Australia. Her goal against the Matildas came in a 2–0 win at the Peace Cup in South Korea.[4]

In 2007, Kai played in seven games heading into the final pre-Women's World Cup match, starting in four. She had two assists and one goal that came in a 2–0 win over China at the Four Nations Tournament to give USA the tournament title. She was one of the final three players chosen to the 2007 U.S. Women's World Cup Team.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Kai scored the winning goal in overtime to lead the U.S. past Canada in the quarterfinal round.

Kai last played for the U.S. on March 11, 2009 against Sweden.[14] She has not been selected for national team duty since having major shoulder surgery in the fall of 2009.[4]

In September 2011 via Twitter, Kai said she would never play for the Women's National Team again, stating, "I will never play for the USWNT ever again so Id appreciate it if u stop asking & tweeting me about it. Its in the past & staying there thx"[15]

International goals
Key (expand for notes on "international goals" and sorting)
Location Geographic location of the venue where the competition occurred
Sorted by country name first, then by city name
Lineup Start – played entire match
on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time

off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time
(c) – captain
Sorted by minutes played

Goal in match Goal of total goals by the player in the match
Sorted by total goals followed by goal number
# NumberOfGoals.goalNumber scored by the player in the match (alternate notation to Goal in match)
Min The minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal.
Assist/pass The ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information.
penalty or pk Goal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.)
Score The match score after the goal was scored.
Sorted by goal difference, then by goal scored by the player's team
Result The final score.

Sorted by goal difference in the match, then by goal difference in penalty-shoot-out if it is taken, followed by goal scored by the player's team in the match, then by goal scored in the penalty-shoot-out. For matches with identical final scores, match ending in extra-time without penalty-shoot-out is a tougher match, therefore precede matches that ended in regulation

aet The score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation
pso Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parentheses; the match was tied at the end of extra-time
Light-purple background color – exhibition or closed door international friendly match
Light-yellow background color – match at an invitational tournament
Light-orange background color – Olympic women's football qualification match
Orange background color – Olympic women's football tournament

NOTE: some keys may not apply for a particular football player

Date # Location Opponent Lineup Min Assist/pass Score Result Competition
1
 2006-03-11[m 1] 1.1 Quarteira  Denmark

on 46' (off Lilly)

 71 unassisted

5–0

5–0

 Algarve Cup
2
 2006-03-13[m 2] 1.1 Faro  France

on 73' (off O'Reilly)

 76 unassisted

4–1

4–1

 Algarve Cup
3
 2006-05-09[m 3] 1.1 Osaka  Japan

on 55' (off O'Reilly)

 65 Kristine Lilly

1–0

1–0

 Friendly
4
 2006-07-23[m 4] 1.1 San Diego  Ireland

on 46' (off Welsh)

 74 Aly Wagner

4–0

5–0

 Friendly
5
 2006-07-30[m 5] 1.1 Cary  Canada

on 46' (off Welsh)

 80 unassisted

2–0

2–0

 Friendly
6
 2006-10-31[m 6] 1.1 Cheonan  Australia Start 35 Abby Wambach

2–0

2–0

 Peace Queen Cup
7
 2007-01-30[m 7] 1.1 Guangzhou  China Start 56 Kate Markgraf

2–0

2–0

 Four Nations Tournament
8
 2007-10-17[m 8] 1.1 Portland  Mexico

on 68' (off Wagner)

 82 Carli Lloyd

3–0

4–0

 Friendly
9
 2008-03-10[m 9] 1.1 Alvor  Norway

off 63' (on Rodriguez)

 55 unassisted

1–0

4–0

 Algarve Cup
10
 2008-03-12[m 10] 1.1 Santo Antonio  Denmark

off 81' (on Rodriguez)

 14 Carli Lloyd

2–1

2–1

 Algarve Cup
11
 2008-04-06[m 11] 2.1 Ciudad Juarez  Mexico

off 56' (on Rodriguez)

 13 Heather O'Reilly

1–0

3–1

 Olympic qualification
12
 2.2 45 unassisted

3–1

13
 2008-04-09[m 12] 2.1 Ciudad Juarez  Costa Rica Start 57 Tobin Heath

1–0

3–0

 Olympic qualification
14
 2.2 89 Angela Hucles

3–0

15
 2008-04-27[m 13] 1.1 Cary  Australia

off 45' (on Rodriguez)

 35 Carli Lloyd

1–0

3–2

 Friendly
16
 2008-05-10[m 14] 3.1 Washington  Canada

off 76' (on Rodriguez)

 54 Carli Lloyd

2–0

6–0

 Friendly
17
 3.2 60 Shannon Boxx

3–0

18
 3.3 75 Abby Wambach

5–0

19
 2008-06-15[m 15] 1.1 Suwon  Australia

off 62' (on Cheney)

 35 Heather O'Reilly

1–0

2–1

 Peace Queen Cup
20
 2008-07-16[m 16] 1.1 San Diego  Brazil

on 56' (off Tarpley)

 85 Carli Lloyd

1–0

1–0

 Friendly
21
 2008-08-15[m 17] 1.1 Shanghai  Canada

on 91' (off O'Reilly)

 101 Shannon Boxx

2–1

2–1 aet

 Olympics: quarterfinal
22
 2008-09-13[m 18] 1.1 Philadelphia  Ireland

off 60' (on White)

 32 Heather O'Reilly

1–0

2–0

 Friendly
23
 2008-09-17[m 19] 1.1 E Rutherford  Ireland Start 72 Carli Lloyd

1–0

1–0

 Friendly
24
 2009-03-06[m 20] 1.1 Ferreiras  Iceland

on 68' (off Rodriguez)

 90 Christie Rampone

1–0

1–0

 Algarve Cup

Rugby

Kai was part of the US women's rugby union sevens team to the first IRB Women's Sevens Challenge Cup held in Dubai 2011.[2]

Personal life

At five years old, Kai accidentally stepped on a glass bottle and the tendons in her foot were severely damaged. Doctors were afraid she might never be able to run again, but she fully recovered from the injury.[16]

She is also known for her distinctive tattoos.[16] She has over 60 tattoos[17] two being "Sleeve tattoos" on her left and right arms. She has tattoos on both legs, arms, feet, and hands, and on her back, chest, sides, and the front, side, and back of her neck. Along with the tattoos, she also has two lower lip piercings.

She was featured on an episode of the hit show LA Ink and had a large spread in ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue".

Kai has openly discussed the fact that she is lesbian, and was one of only three openly gay individuals on the 2008 USA Summer Olympic Team. During an interview with NBCOlympics.com, Kai was quoted as saying the following:

It was a hard time... I had missed the first camp under new head coach Pia Sundhage in early-January because I had bronchitis, and I was going through a nasty break-up with my girlfriend. Then Coach Sundhage told me my job was on the line.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Natasha Kai". Team USA. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015.
  2. 1 2 USA Women's prepare for Dubai rugbymag.com
  3. ↑ 2010 University of Hawai'i Soccer Media Guide, p.38
  4. 1 2 3 4 "US Soccer Official Bio". Archived from the original on October 30, 2009.
  5. ↑ "WPS Allocation List". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  6. ↑ "All Eight Clubs Add Players to their Roster". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Washington Spirit Select Six Players in Supplemental Draft". washingtonspirit.com. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Sky Blue FC Signs Forward Tasha Kai".
  10. ↑ Sky Blue FC (September 26, 2016). "FORWARD TASHA KAI UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL LEFT ANKLE SURGERY". Sky Blue FC. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  11. ↑ "LA Galaxy Women's vs Houston Aces". July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  12. ↑ "LA Galaxy OC - 2019 Regular Season - Roster - # - Natasha Kai - F". Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  13. ↑ "WPS official Bio". Archived from the original on July 3, 2011.
  14. ↑ "US Soccer 2009 Official Lineups". Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Retirement tweet".
  16. 1 2 "Pride of the Aloha state". ESPNFC.com.
  17. ↑ "U.S. women soccer players get plenty of ink for their accomplishments". Los Angeles Times. May 28, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Outsports: American out Olympian in soccer". Archived from the original on September 13, 2011.

Match reports

  1. ↑ "U.S. WNT Defeats Denmark, 5–0, in Second Group B Match of 2006 Algarve Cup". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Women Clinch Berth in Algarve Cup Final with 4–1 Win vs. France". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Second Half Goal from Natasha Kai Gives USA 1–0 Win vs. Japan". U.S.Soccer.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Women Dominate Ireland, 5–0, as Defender Cat Whitehill Scores Twice". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ "U.S. WNT Finishes July Undefeated With 2–0 Win Against Canada". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Women Scare Up 2–0 Halloween Win Over Australia at Peace Queen Cup". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Clinches Four Nations Title With 2–0 Win Against China". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ "U.S. WNT Gets Win Over Mexico in Portland". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Women Roll Past Norway, 4–0, at 2008 Algarve Cup; WNT Advances to Sixth Straight Algarve Cup Final". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Women Capture 2008 Algarve Cup With 2–1 Victory Over Denmark". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Wins Group A, Downs Host Mexico 3–1 in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Women's National Team Qualifies For 2008 Beijing Olympics With 3–0 Victory Over Costa Rica". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Dramatic 91st Minute Game-Winner From Carli Lloyd". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Women's National Team Dominates Canada 6–0 at RFK Stadium as Natasha Kai Scores First Career Hat Trick". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Women Open 2008 Peace Queen Cup With 2–1 Victory Over Australia". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Kai Scores Late Header to Give U.S. Women 1–0 Win Over Brazil; Top Scorer Abby Wambach Breaks Leg and is Out of the Olympics". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on September 17, 2009.
  17. ↑ "U.S. WNT Defeats Canada, 2–1, On Overtime Goal From Natasha Kai to Earn Berth to Semifinal of Beijing Olympic Games". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Women Open Achieve Your Gold Tour With 2–0 Win Against Ireland in Philadelphia". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
  19. ↑ "U.S. WNT Defeats Ireland, 1–0, As Kai Scores 23rd Career Goal". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Kai's 90th-Minute Winner Puts U.S. Into 2009 Algarve Cup Final". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
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