Kaiya McCullough

Kaiya June McCullough (born May 29, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Würzburger Kickers of the German 2. Frauen-Bundesliga. She previously played for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit.

Kaiya McCullough
Personal information
Full name Kaiya June McCullough
Date of birth (1998-05-29) May 29, 1998
Place of birth Irvine, California
Height 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Würzburger Kickers
Number 55
Youth career
El Toro HS
San Diego Surf
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 UCLA Bruins 92 (1)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 Washington Spirit 0 (0)
2020– Würzburger Kickers 2 (0)
National team‡
2016 United States U-18
2017 United States U-19
2018 United States U-20
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of December 5, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of September 8, 2020

Club career

Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit drafted McCullough with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.[1] She subsequently signed with the team on February 10, 2020.[2]

On September 7, 2020, Washington Spirit announced that they have waived McCullough so that she could pursue opportunities overseas.[3]

Personal life and activism

Following former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, McCullough has been kneeling during the US National Anthem to protest police brutality and racism since 2017.[4]

Since joining the NWSL, McCullough has been one of the most vocal players in organizing the league players' support for Black Lives Matter,[5] especially during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.[6]

References
  1. Becherano, Lizzy (January 16, 2020). "Following Mal Pugh trade, Washington Spirit select 5 players at 2020 NWSL Draft". Black and Red United. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  2. Cavalier, Mason (February 10, 2020). "Spirit sign all five 2020 draftees, add to keeper corps". Washington Spirit. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. "Washington Spirit waive defender Kaiya McCullough". Washington Spirit. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  4. Rodriguez, Alicia (June 12, 2020). "Kaiya McCullough discusses her activism, at UCLA and now in NWSL". Bruins Nation. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. Carlisle, André (June 21, 2020). "Washington Spirit players on racism, #BlackLivesMatter, and progress: Kaiya McCullough on the power of kneeling". Black and Red United. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  6. Hensley-Clancy, Molly (June 26, 2020). "N.W.S.L. Players Kneel for Anthem as League Returns to Field". New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2020.


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