Athletes > Natasha Kai > Bio

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Kahuku call-up
Originally from Kahuku, Hawaii, a small coastal village on the island of Oahu, Natasha Kai started playing soccer when she was seven. A multi-sport athlete in high school, she focused on soccer at the University of Hawaii, where she earned WAC Player of the Year three times. Kai got called into her first WNT training camp in February 2006 and suited up for the first time at the Algarve Cup. In Portugal, she became only the fourth U.S. player to notch goals in her first two caps. (U.S. teammate Shannon Boxx holds the record with goals in her first three matches.)

Hawaii Kai-O
Criticized at times for sporadic effort on the playing field, Kai stepped up her game tremendously at the most opportune time: the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, held in Mexico. After scoring two important goals in the United States' group-play finale against the hosts, she netted two more in the decider against Costa Rica to ensure the U.S. of its fifth appearance at the Olympic Games. Her blast from 10 yards out broke a scoreless tie in the 57th minute and sent the U.S. on its way.

Wearing her emotions
Kai is not the most decorated player on the U.S. team, as far as statistics go. She is, however, the most decorated player when it comes to tattoos. Of her 19 tattoos, her most prominent one is a sleeve tattoo depicting a traditional Polynesian design. She also has the following message inscribed above her right hip: "Appreciate the moment The most precious treasure is MY heart ... When I share it with YOU, protect it, as if it was your own ...." Her most recent additions are stars on the back of her neck that resemble the stars on the U.S. uniform.

First-rate parents in 50th state
Two of Kai's biggest fans are her parents: Benny, a performer at the Polynesian Cultural Center of Oahu and a Hawaiian history teacher, and Sharon, a sixth-grade teacher. Although neither of them played soccer, they raised Natasha and six other siblings on the game, coaching and providing guidance from an early age.