Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Bio
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (born June 27, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). A technically gifted midfielder, he rose through the youth and college ranks before being selected in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Kossa-Rienzi has drawn attention for his composure on the ball, passing vision, and knack for delivering in big moments, quickly establishing himself as one of the promising young talents within the Sounders organization.
Standing at 170 cm, Kossa-Rienzi combines a low center of gravity with quick feet, attributes that have allowed him to thrive in tight spaces in midfield. He has represented the Sounders first team in both MLS competition and the U.S. Open Cup, while also spending time developing with their MLS NEXT Pro side, Tacoma Defiance.
Early Life and Background
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was born on June 27, 2002, in Berkeley, California, United States. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for producing creative and skillful soccer players. He is of partial Chinese descent, a heritage he has occasionally referenced as part of his identity.
As a youth, Kossa-Rienzi played club soccer with Mavericks SC, a competitive development program in Northern California. He attended Berkeley High School, where his talent quickly became apparent. During his high school career, he was named the WACC-Foothill Player of the Year and the North Coast Section Player of the Year. As a junior, his performances were recognized nationally when he was selected to the All-USA Second Team and named an All-American.
Off the field, Kossa-Rienzi balanced academics and athletics, eventually choosing to continue his soccer career at the collegiate level rather than turn professional immediately. His upbringing in Berkeley, a city with a strong cultural and athletic identity, helped shape his grounded approach to the game.
Path to Soccer
Kossa-Rienzi’s progression through the American soccer system began in earnest when he committed to the University of Washington in 2020. He joined a Huskies program with a strong reputation for developing professional-level midfielders. His collegiate debut came on February 4, 2021, against the Northwest Eagles, a match in which he recorded an assist.
Over the next three seasons, Kossa-Rienzi became a central figure for Washington. On September 24, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal in a 2–0 victory over the Portland Pilots. Following his sophomore year, he earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors. In 2022, he was elevated to the All-Pac-12 First Team and the All-Far West Region Second Team, signaling his arrival as one of the conference’s top players.
Ahead of his senior campaign, Kossa-Rienzi was named to the Pac-12 All-Preseason Team. He concluded his college career with All-Pac-12 First Team and All-West Region Second Team selections, and he was invited to the MLS College Showcase, a key scouting event for professional clubs. Across four seasons at Washington, he tallied six goals and 11 assists in 76 appearances.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Career
Early Career (2023)
Following his time at the University of Washington, Kossa-Rienzi joined Crossfire Red in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for the 2023 season. The NPSL provided him with a competitive amateur environment in which to maintain sharpness and showcase his abilities ahead of the professional draft. His stint with Crossfire Red allowed him to feature against experienced semi-professional opponents and refine his game ahead of the MLS combine.
MLS SuperDraft and Tacoma Defiance (2024)
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Kossa-Rienzi was selected in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Seattle Sounders FC. The pick reflected the Sounders’ long-standing commitment to blending homegrown talent with experienced professionals. After participating in pre-season with the first team, he signed a contract with Tacoma Defiance, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, in March 2024.
Throughout the 2024 season, Kossa-Rienzi balanced matches with Tacoma Defiance and short-term loans to the Sounders first team. On May 22, 2024, he made his first start for Seattle in a U.S. Open Cup match against Phoenix Rising FC. In that game, he scored his first goal for the club, the winning strike in a 2–1 victory that helped Seattle advance to the quarter-finals. The performance was a clear signal of his readiness for the professional level.
Seattle Sounders FC Era (2025–Present)
In March 2025, Kossa-Rienzi signed additional short-term loan agreements with the Seattle Sounders first team, giving him opportunities to train and play alongside senior players on a regular basis. On March 8, 2025, he scored his first MLS goal in a victory over Los Angeles FC, a milestone moment that validated his development pathway.
Two days later, on March 10, 2025, Kossa-Rienzi signed an MLS contract with the first team for the remainder of the 2025 season, with club options for 2026 and 2027. The deal marked his official transition from prospect to contracted MLS player. He has since featured in league play as the Sounders continue their campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the pitch, Kossa-Rienzi is recognized for his composed distribution, tactical intelligence, and ability to dictate tempo from central midfield. He reads the game with poise beyond his years, often acting as the connective link between defensive structure and attacking movement. His quick feet and low center of gravity make him effective in tight spaces, while his vision allows him to unlock defenses with precise passes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kossa-Rienzi’s signature moments are his first MLS goal against Los Angeles FC on March 8, 2025, and his U.S. Open Cup winning goal against Phoenix Rising FC on May 22, 2024. Being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft stands as another defining milestone in his young career.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Career Wins
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi is in the early stages of his professional career, and his recorded competitive victories primarily come from team results in the U.S. Open Cup and MLS regular season play. His most notable individual winning contribution to date remains the decisive goal he scored in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup against Phoenix Rising FC.
Seattle Sounders FC Highlights
In his brief time with the Sounders first team, Kossa-Rienzi has already produced two standout scoring moments: his U.S. Open Cup winner over Phoenix Rising FC in 2024 and his first MLS goal versus Los Angeles FC in 2025. These performances have marked him as a player capable of rising to important occasions and delivering when called upon.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time at the University of Washington, Kossa-Rienzi contributed to several key results, including a 2–0 victory over the Portland Pilots in 2021. He also gained semi-professional experience with Crossfire Red in the NPSL in 2023, helping bridge the gap between his college career and entry into Major League Soccer.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Kalani Kossa-Rienzi’s immediate family remain limited in publicly available sources. He is of partial Chinese descent, a heritage that contributes to his multicultural background.
Personal Life
Off the pitch, Kossa-Rienzi is known to be focused on his professional development with the Seattle Sounders FC organization. Public information about his personal relationships, marital status, or children has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi’s 2025 campaign represents his first full season as a contracted MLS player with the Seattle Sounders FC. After a strong pre-season, he began the year on short-term loan agreements before earning a first-team contract on March 10, 2025, with options extending through 2027. His first MLS goal, scored on March 8, 2025, in a victory over Los Angeles FC, set a confident tone for the rest of the year.
Operating primarily as a central midfielder, Kossa-Rienzi has featured in league matches while continuing to adjust to the demands of MLS competition. The Sounders have used his development carefully, integrating him alongside more experienced players to balance immediate impact with long-term growth.
Looking ahead, Kossa-Rienzi’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 is promising. With a multi-year contract framework already in place, the season offers him the chance to cement his role within the squad, contribute to Seattle’s playoff push, and continue building on the momentum generated by his early goals and cup performances.