Kiana Palacios

Kiana Angélica Palacios Hernández (born 1 October 1996) is an American-born Mexican footballer who plays as forward for Spanish club Real Sociedad and the Mexico women's national team.

Kiana Palacios
Palacios as a player of Spanish club Real Sociedad
Personal information
Full name Kiana Angélica Palacios Hernández[1]
Date of birth (1996-10-01) 1 October 1996[1]
Place of birth Orange, California, United States[1]
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward[1][2]
Club information
Current team
 Real Sociedad
Number 9
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 UC Irvine Anteaters 67 (24)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 LA Galaxy OC 5 (3)
2018– Real Sociedad 25 (6)
National team‡
2015–2016 Mexico U-20 8 (5)
2017– Mexico 21 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 February 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 April 2018
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Palacios and the second or maternal family name is Hernández.

College career

Palacios played for UC Irvine in her Collegiate career converting from the defensive midfield to a forward, and essentially playing where the Anteaters needed her to be. She adjusted well and became the 4th leading scorer all time for UC Irvine with 24 goals. In her junior season, she at a point led the NCAA in goals scored and total team points before leaving for international duty for Mexico's U-20 team in 2016, 2 weeks before the collegiate regular season ended. In her senior season, due to team injuries, she was put into the Central/Attacking Midfield position where she guided UC Irvine to the Big West regular season title where they were defeated in the Big West Semifinals. Palacios received numerous collegiate accolades locally and nationally, in athletics and academics.

Club career

Palacios was selected in the 4th Round of the 2018 NWSL College Draft by Sky Blue FC,[3] but was not signed.

She joined the LA Galaxy Orange County Women's squad in May 2018 competing in the United Wonen's Soccer league. The club is managed by her college coach from UC Irvine Scott Juniper and the team is designed to help collegiate players and recent graduates develop as professionals. She scored 3 goals in 5 matches.[4]

On 13 July 2018, it was announced Palacios has signed a one-year contract with Spanish club Real Sociedad.[5]

On May 11, 2019 Palacios scored in the 19th minute in the 2018–19 Copa de la Reina de Fútbol to equalize against Atlético Madrid to assist Real Sociedad to its first title in a 2-1 victory.[6]

International career

Palacios represented Mexico at the 2015 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She made her senior debut on 4 February 2017 in a friendly match against Canada.[7]

Palacios made her first senior team start on July 8, 2017 vs Sweden and scored her first senior team goal on April 8, 2018 vs the United States in her 5th recorded cap.

Honours

Club
Real Sociedad

References
  1. "Delanteras de la Selección Nacional Femenil Sub20" (in Spanish). MiSeleccion.mx. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  2. "Kiana Palacios". UC Irvine Athletics. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  3. "Sky Blue FC makes five selections in 2018 NWSL College Draft". Sky Blue FC. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  4. "Kiana Palacios". United Women's Soccer. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  5. "Refuerzo para la delantera" (in Spanish). Real Sociedad de Fútbol S.A.D. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. "Real Sociedad women end Atletico double dreams with Cup win". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. "La SNM Femenil cayó 3-2 con Canadá en duelo de preparación" (in Spanish). MiSeleccion.mx. Retrieved 31 March 2017.


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