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Hailing from Torrance, California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Karina Rodriguez arrived in DC by way of UCLA. Before becoming a Bruin, Karina played with youth club Southern California Blues and was part of the U19 U.S. Club Soccer National Championship-winning 2016 team and was a nominee for player of the year that same season. In four seasons at UCLA, Karina totaled nearly 7,200 minutes in 85 matches played while tallying five goals and two assists. At the international level, Karina competed with multiple U.S. Soccer youth national teams before earning her first call-up to the senior Mexican national team in 2021. Read on below to learn more about one of your favorite west coast centerbacks.
How old were you when you started playing soccer?
Four
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Julie Johnston as a centerback.
Do you have a nickname?
People call me K but my family calls me Kiki or Keeks.
What’s your dream car?
I don’t really have one.
Is there a reason behind your jersey number?
No, not really but I couldn’t pass up being between Sam and Kelley in the locker room, always a good time.
What TV shows are you watching right now?
Currently, it’s Love Island UK and This Is Us.
What movie can you quote from start to finish?
I used to have the airplane scene from Bridesmaids memorized but I’m not sure if I could still recite it.
What’s your least favorite food?
At the moment, there’s not much I wouldn’t eat or at least try.
Who inspires you?
Growing up and now, my older sister Anika has always been my inspiration. I’ve seen her celebrate the highs and fight through the lows and there’s no one I admire more.
What is your favorite emoji?
My favorite emoji is 🥹 because it pretty much explains me but lately I’ve liked using 🤌🏽.
What would you sing at karaoke night?
Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
Money is no object, you can live anywhere in the world, where will you be?
I’m Los Angeles-born and bred so there’s nowhere else I’d want to live.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Definitely a night owl
What was your favorite subject in school/your major in college?
Growing up, I liked math but I majored in political science at UCLA.
What is your favorite season?
I’ve always loved summer and I spent every day at the beach with my family and friends. I’m a pisces and that’s a water sign so it’s only natural.
What are you looking forward to most about going back home to LA to play for the first time in your professional career?
To play in my hometown in front of family and friends would truly be a dream come true. It’s where I started playing soccer and where I grew as a player throughout college. I dreamt of being a professional so to come full circle back in LA would be a highlight of my career.
What are your personal and team goals for the rest of the season?
Doing what I can in whatever role is asked of me to continue to help the team fight for three points every game.
Fans can catch Karina and the rest of their favorite Spirit players live by securing their tickets to the Spirit’s final three home matches of the regular season at Audi Field with the new season ticket megapack. Available here, the megapack provides fans with the full benefits of a season ticket member for the defending champs’ final home matches of 2022.
