Caprice Dydasco Bio
Caprice Ka’anohikula Dydasco, born on August 19, 1993, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back for Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Across her professional career, she has represented Pali Blues, the Washington Spirit, Newcastle Jets on loan, NJ/NY Gotham FC, and the Houston Dash, establishing herself as one of the league’s most reliable defenders. She was voted the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2021 while playing for Gotham FC. Earlier in her career, she played college soccer with the UCLA Bruins, helping the program win the NCAA championship in 2013.
Early Life and Background
Caprice Ka’anohikula Dydasco was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she grew up in a family with deep ties to the sport. She is the daughter of Jose Dydasco and Misty Dydasco. Her brother, Zane Dydasco, played soccer for the United States Air Force Academy, and her sister, True, played soccer at the University of Oregon, giving the household a strong athletic identity. This family environment helped shape her early interest in the game and gave her consistent support as she developed her skills.
Dydasco attended Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, where she played high school soccer and continued to refine her abilities. Outside of school, she played for the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club, gaining valuable experience in competitive youth environments. Her performances were strong enough to earn her youth All-American recognition in both 2009 and 2010, marking her as one of the top young defenders in the country.
Path to Soccer
Dydasco’s path to the professional ranks began through the United States youth national team program, where she represented her country at multiple age levels. She started with the United States U-17 team in 2009 and 2010, and she was a starter on the squad that competed internationally. Although an injury kept her from participating in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the experience sharpened her understanding of high-level competition. She later joined the United States U-20 team in 2012, and between 2014 and 2016, she appeared for the United States U-23 team, including a stint with the squad that won the Six Nations Tournament in Spain in 2014.
Her college career further prepared her for the professional level. Dydasco was a four-year starter as a defender for the UCLA Bruins from 2011 to 2014, appearing in 94 games while recording five goals and 23 assists. As a junior, she helped UCLA capture its first NCAA championship in 2013, a defining moment in her development. Her combination of attacking instincts, speed, and defensive discipline made her an attractive prospect for NWSL clubs entering the 2015 draft.
Caprice Dydasco Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Before entering the NWSL, Dydasco played for the semi-professional Pali Blues in 2013 and 2014, a side that helped bridge the gap between college and professional soccer. She balanced those appearances with her UCLA commitments and her international duties, including helping the U.S. U-23 team win the Six Nations Tournament in Spain in March 2014. The Pali Blues environment gave her a chance to refine her tactical awareness and leadership while facing experienced opponents.
On January 16, 2015, Dydasco was selected by the Washington Spirit as the nineteenth overall pick in the NWSL College Draft. Spirit head coach Mark Parsons praised her as the most attacking defender in the draft class, noting her well-known speed and willingness to push forward. She made six appearances for the Spirit during her rookie NWSL season, beginning her transition into the professional ranks.
Washington Spirit Breakthrough (2015–2018)
Dydasco’s role with the Washington Spirit grew quickly. In 2016, she started 12 regular-season matches and both postseason matches for the club, becoming a regular in the starting lineup. Her season, however, ended painfully on October 9, 2016, when she suffered a torn ACL during the NWSL Championship match, an injury that prevented her from joining Newcastle Jets on loan for the 2016–17 W-League season. She had earlier signed a loan deal with Newcastle Jets in October 2015 for the 2015–16 Australian W-League season, gaining international experience abroad.
After months of rehabilitation, Dydasco signed a new contract with the Spirit on June 14, 2017, and returned to the field on June 24 against the Portland Thorns. Her recovery and perseverance allowed her to reestablish herself as a starting defender for Washington. Across her time with the Spirit, she developed into a dependable fullback known for her work rate, her ability to join the attack, and her commitment on the defensive side of the ball.
Gotham FC Era (2019–2022)
In January 2019, Dydasco was traded to Sky Blue FC, which later became NJ/NY Gotham FC, along with teammates DiDi Haracic and Estelle Johnson in exchange for draft picks. She quickly became a central figure for the club. On October 6, 2021, she made her 100th regular-season appearance in the NWSL, a milestone that reflected her consistency and durability as a professional.
Her standout 2021 campaign earned her the NWSL Defender of the Year award on November 15, 2021, after appearing on five NWSL Team of the Month lists during the season. She also earned a place on the NWSL Best XI alongside teammates Kailen Sheridan and Margaret Purce. That year, she played in every match, logging more than 2,000 minutes, notching five assists, and scoring her first career NWSL goal. Ahead of the 2022 season, she signed a new two-year contract with Gotham FC, cementing her status as a leader at the club.
Houston Dash and Bay FC (2022–Present)
On August 19, 2022, Gotham FC traded Dydasco to the Houston Dash in exchange for $120,000 in allocation money, with the potential for an additional $10,000 per postseason match up to a total of $150,000. During her time with the Dash, she continued to demonstrate her durability, surpassing the 10,000-minute mark in her third match of the 2023 season, becoming the 32nd player in NWSL history to reach that milestone. Her leadership in the back line helped stabilize the Dash’s defensive structure.
On November 21, 2023, expansion club Bay FC signed Dydasco as a free agent, making her the second player in club history and the team’s first-ever free agent signing. She joined a young franchise with ambitions of becoming a long-term contributor on the right side of the defense. Her veteran presence and championship experience have made her a foundational piece for the organization as it builds its identity in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dydasco is widely recognized for her speed, her fitness, and her attacking mindset from the right back position. She excels at overlapping runs, delivering service into the box, and pressing high up the field, while remaining disciplined in one-on-one defending. Her tactical flexibility allows her to play as a traditional fullback or push into the midfield in possession, giving her teams an extra outlet in buildup play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most memorable moments are her role in UCLA’s 2013 NCAA championship, her 2016 NWSL Championship appearance, her recovery from a torn ACL, and her 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year award. Reaching her 100th regular-season NWSL appearance in 2021 and surpassing 10,000 career NWSL minutes in 2023 further underline her longevity and consistency at the top level of American women’s soccer.
Caprice Dydasco Career Wins
Caprice Ka’anohikula Dydasco’s trophy case reflects both team and individual success. She was part of UCLA’s 2013 NCAA championship-winning squad, helped the U.S. U-23 team win the Six Nations Tournament in 2014, and earned the NWSL Defender of the Year honor in 2021.
NWSL Highlights
Across her NWSL career with the Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, the Houston Dash, and Bay FC, Dydasco has been a consistent starter and a defensive leader. Her 2021 campaign stood out as her most decorated, highlighted by the Defender of the Year award, an NWSL Best XI selection, five Team of the Month appearances, and her first career NWSL goal. Her milestones include her 100th regular-season NWSL appearance in 2021 and surpassing 10,000 career NWSL minutes in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her NWSL achievements, Dydasco won the Six Nations Tournament with the U.S. U-23 team in 2014, played in the 2016 NWSL Championship, and contributed to one of the most successful eras in recent UCLA women’s soccer history. Her college resume of 94 appearances, five goals, and 23 assists helped anchor a program that reached the top of the collegiate game.
Caprice Dydasco Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caprice Ka’anohikula Dydasco comes from a close-knit athletic family with strong ties to soccer. She is of Guamanian descent through her father, Jose Dydasco, and of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Hawaiian descent through her mother, Misty Dydasco. Her brother, Zane Dydasco, played soccer at the United States Air Force Academy, while her sister, True, played at the University of Oregon, making the family a multi-sport pipeline of competitive athletes.
Personal Life
Dydasco married Adam Thomas on January 4, 2025. She continues to be a prominent figure in American women’s soccer, balancing her professional commitments with family life in Hawaii and beyond. Her multicultural heritage and family support have remained central to her identity throughout her career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NWSL season, Caprice Ka’anohikula Dydasco remains a key veteran for Bay FC as the club continues to grow following its 2024 expansion debut. Her experience and leadership are expected to play a central role in stabilizing a young back line and providing guidance to newer players on the roster. As a foundational signing for the franchise, she is likely to log significant minutes on the right side of the defense while helping shape the team’s competitive identity.
Bay FC’s 2025 campaign will depend heavily on Dydasco’s ability to combine defensive solidity with attacking contributions from the right back position. Her track record of consistency, including surpassing 10,000 NWSL minutes and earning league-wide recognition in 2021, suggests she will continue to be a reliable presence. The team will look to her veteran composure as it aims to climb the NWSL standings.
Looking ahead, Dydasco’s ongoing partnership with Bay FC’s coaching staff and emerging teammates will be a storyline to watch throughout the 2025 season. With a full preseason behind her and a clear role in the squad, she is well positioned to contribute both on the field and in the locker room. Her continued production will be an important barometer for Bay FC’s progress in its second NWSL season.