Kiana Palacios

About

Kiana Angélica Palacios Hernández (born 1 October 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Born and raised in the United States to Mexican parents, she plays for the Mexico national team. Palacios played college soccer for the UC Irvine Anteaters. She began her professional career with Real Sociedad, helping win the Copa de la Reina in her debut season in 2019. After three years at the Spanish club, she joined Liga MX Femenil side Club América in 2021, becoming the all-time leading scorer in club history.

Palacios played college soccer for the UC Irvine Anteaters, converting from defensive midfielder to forward and essentially playing where the Anteaters needed her to be. She adjusted well and became the fourth-leading scorer all-time for UC Irvine with 24 goals. In her junior season, Palacios was at a point leading the NCAA in goals scored and total team points before leaving for international duty with the Mexico U-20 team in 2016, two weeks before the NCAA regular season ended.
In her senior season, due to team injuries, Palacios was placed into the Central/Attacking Midfield position…