Kayla Duran Bio
Kayla Jennifer Duran (born September 29, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Boston College Eagles, Brown Bears, and USC Trojans.
Early Life and Background
Kayla Duran was born in Woburn, Massachusetts. She began her soccer journey at a young age, playing for the local club FC Stars. Duran’s talent was evident early on as she contributed to two ECNL final four appearances and earned the 2018 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year award. Additionally, she was a dual-sport athlete at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, excelling in both soccer and ice hockey. During her soccer career at Buckingham Browne & Nichols, she scored 63 goals and provided 44 assists, helping her team win a league championship and earning a spot on the 2017 High School All-American East team.
Path to Soccer
Duran kicked off her college career with the Boston College Eagles in 2018, where she started all 20 games of her freshman year and was named to the 2018 ACC All-Freshman team. She recorded 1827 minutes of play, including a personal record of 110 minutes in a single game against Miami. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined her for her sophomore year, preventing her from playing for the Eagles again. In 2020, she transferred to Brown University, where she faced further delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, upon returning to the field, Duran helped lead Brown to an Ivy League title and earned numerous accolades, including Ivy League defensive player of the year.
Kayla Duran Career
Early Career (2018-2022)
During her time at Boston College, Kayla Duran made a significant impact on the field, starting all games in her freshman year and earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team. After transferring to Brown University, she continued to excel, helping her team secure two Ivy League titles and earning individual honors for her defensive skills. Duran’s time at Brown solidified her reputation as a formidable defender, leading to her selection as a team captain in her second year.
Breakthrough (2023-Present)
In 2023, Duran made another transition, this time to the USC Trojans, where she played as a graduate student. She started all 17 of the Trojans’ Pac-12 games, contributing to nine shutouts and scoring her only goal against UCLA. Duran’s performance earned her a spot on the All Pac-12 first team. Following her collegiate career, she signed her first professional contract with Gotham FC in July 2025, marking the beginning of her professional journey in the NWSL.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kayla Duran’s signature work includes her contributions to Gotham FC, where she made her professional debut shortly after signing her contract. She has already made significant strides in her early professional career, including her first career start and goal.
Kayla Duran Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Kayla Duran has received several nominations and accolades, particularly during her college years, where she was recognized for her outstanding performance on the field.
Kayla Duran Awards Won
Kayla Duran has achieved notable recognition during her collegiate career, including being named the Ivy League defensive player of the year and earning All-Ivy and All-Region honors.
Kayla Duran Family
Kayla Duran comes from a family of athletes. Her brother, Riley Duran, is a professional ice hockey player who was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2020. Both of her parents were collegiate athletes, with her father playing ice hockey and her mother participating in soccer, softball, and basketball.
Personal Life
While specific details about Kayla Duran’s personal life are limited, her family’s athletic background has undoubtedly influenced her career in sports. Duran continues to focus on her professional soccer career with Gotham FC.