Kickin' It with Caiya Hanks
In our first Kickin' It of 2025, we are honored to welcome rookie sensation Caiya Hanks!
On March 12, the Portland Thorns signed the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Caiya Hanks to a four year contract with a mutual option for a 2025.
That long-term contract is a rarity in the NWSL and speaks to how much the club believes in her.
"She [Caiya Hanks] would have went #1 in the draft,” said Rob Gale “I think the club pulled off a great coup in bringing her in early. There's no doubt in our minds."
Hanks has appeared all three NWSL matches already, and just started her first professional match for the Portland Thorns against the NC Courage.
She has dazzled everyone with her breathtaking dribbling, speed, and fearlessness.
“I love 1v1s, both defensively and offensively,” said Hanks. “I have a lot of confidence that I will win it. if I don't win it, I will win the next one. It's like, I create battles all over the field whenever I can. So, I also love to dribble. Whenever I get the opportunity, I will do my best to do that too. I just love soccer, and I do everything that I can to, you know, make it entertaining.’
After receiving her first ever call up the U-23s, it’s even more clear that Caiya Hanks has a bright future in football.
"It's something I've been working towards for my entire career, and it's something that I've dreamt about. It is my first ever time with any national team in their youth program, so I'm really excited."
Note: Yes, there will be a soccer feature next.
For those who are unfamiliar, Kickin' It is a fun Q & A where players get to take a break from the usual soccer talk. Yes, no soccer questions are allowed!
Without further ado…
Kickin’ It with Caiya Hanks
Phuoc/Stumptown Footy: What do you like to do for fun on an off day?
Caiya Hanks: I like to go on walks. I love photography as well. So recently, we had an off day, and my friends and I went to Cannon Beach, and I brought my Canon camera, and I took a lot of pictures. So I do love to do that, and I love scrolling on Pinterest.
Phuoc/Stumptown Footy: How has it been in Portland? Have you found any of your favorite spots, yet?
Caiya Hanks: I mean, sometimes I forget it's only been like 12 days since I've been here. It honestly feels like I've been here for much longer. But yes, I actually loved Stumptown Coffee, and there is this other place (Java Man Coffee).
My family and I and my agent, we went there basically every day for coffee. So good, yeah. And I've been trying all the sushi around town too. That's one of my goals, to hit almost every sushi spot and see which one's my favorite. Me and Carissa [Boeckmann], we're teaming up with that. We're gonna hop around and see how many sushi spots we can eat at.
Phuoc/Stumptown Footy: Do you like Poke? Go-to spot for Poke in Hawaii?
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