Vanessa Kara

Vanessa Kara González (born 27 November 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward. Born in the United States, she represents the Dominican Republic women's national team.[1]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Kara and the second or maternal family name is González.
Vanessa Kara
Personal information
Full name Vanessa Kara González
Date of birth (1996-11-27) 27 November 1996
Place of birth Burlington, New Jersey, U.S.
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
PDA Force
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Drexel Dragons 53 (22)
2019 Florida Gators 20 (10)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 TiPS 9 (2)
2021 Racing Louisville 1 (0)
International career‡
2021– Dominican Republic 4 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:50, 16 April 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 October 2021.

Early life

Born in Burlington, New Jersey to a Dominican mother,[2] Kara began playing soccer at the Bridle Club in her hometown, playing alongside her brothers.[3] She soon joined the PDA Fusion, part of the Players Development Academy.[3] During her club and her high school career at Moorestown Friends School, Kara suffered two ACL tears in both knees.[3] During her senior year of high school, Kara committed to playing for the Drexel Dragons of Drexel University.[3]

During her first season with Drexel Dragons, she recorded a team record 11 goals in 18 matches, and was named the 2015 CAA Rookie of the Year.[4] In her sophomore year, Kara scored 6 goals and contributed 5 assists as she earned All-CAA First Team honors.[4] During her final season with the Dragons, she scored 5 goals.[4] Prior to the 2017 playoffs, Kara tore her ACL again and had to red shirt during what would have been her senior year.[3]

In 2019, Kara left Drexel University, and joined the Florida Gators of the University of Florida.[3] One of her former coached had recommended Kara to Gators head coach Becky Burleigh.[3] During her only season with the Florida Gators, Kara scored a team leading 10 goals, tied for 5th in the Southeastern Conference.[5]

Club career

On 16 January 2020, Kara was eligible for selection in the NWSL College Draft but was not selected.[6] The day after the draft, Kara received a call from North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley to join the team for preseason.[6] Later that year, Kara joined Kansallinen Liiga club TiPS.[7] She made her debut for the side on 22 August 2020 against Åland United, starting in a 3–0 defeat.[8] Kara then scored her first goal on 5 September against PK-35, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory.[9]

Racing Louisville

On 5 April 2021, after training with them during preseason, Kara returned to the United States and joined National Women's Soccer League club Racing Louisville.[10] She made her professional debut for the club on 15 April 2021 in the NWSL Challenge Cup against the Washington Spirit, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat.[11]

International career

Kara made her senior debut for the Dominican Republic on 22 October 2021, starting in a 3–0 friendly home win over Bolivia. During the match, she scored a brace and assisted the remaining goal.[12]

Career statistics
As of match played 15 April 2021[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
TiPS 2020 Kansallinen Liiga9200——92
Racing Louisville 2021 National Women's Soccer League1020——30
Career total 1022000122

Honours

Individual

  • 2015 CAA Rookie of the Year

References
  1. "Called up for friendlies, Kara to represent Dominican Republic". Racing Louisville FC. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. "Called up for friendlies, Kara to represent Dominican Republic". Racing Louisville FC. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  3. Marsh, Graham (15 November 2019). "Beating the odds: Kara overcomes injuries, transfer". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  4. "Vanessa Kara - Drexel Dragons". Drexel Dragons.
  5. "Vanessa Kara - Florida Gators". Florida Gators.
  6. Miceli, John (22 March 2020). "Feature: Two Gator Soccer Players Trying to Go Pro". WRUF. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  7. "Six former Gators prepare for NWSL opening day". The Independent Florida Alligator. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  8. "TiPS 0–3 Åland United". Soccerway.
  9. "PK-35 0–1 TiPS". Soccerway.
  10. Gardner, Hayes (5 April 2021). "Racing Louisville FC announces 22-player roster ahead of club's debut". Courier-Journal. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  11. "Washington Spirit 1–0 Racing Louisville". Soccerway.
  12. "Vanessa Kara sacó la casta por la SEDOFUTBOL Femenina ante Bolivia" [Vanessa Kara took the breed for the Women's SEDOFUTBOL against Bolivia]. Acento (in Spanish). RécoRD. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  13. Vanessa Kara at Soccerway
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