Getting to Know Goalkeeper Kaylie Collins

In late June, Kaylie Collins joined the Spirit as a training player to provide depth at the goalkeeper position before signing a contract with the club through the end of the season on August 23. In Collins’ first year as a professional, she’s played with the NWSL’s Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign FC, as well as Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers. She attended the University of Southern California from 2016 to 2021, appearing in 66 matches and recorded a 0.83 career goals against average with the Trojans. She is originally from Clayton, California. 

What is your favorite meal? 

I’m a big foodie. That said, I think my favorite meal is either a real gourmet burger… or actually, you know what? It might be an In-N-Out burger with fries. It’s the most satisfying meal you could have. This is probably my choice for a last meal. At In-N-Out, I’d order a Double-Double, but only one slice of cheese, with grilled onions, regular fries, and a Neapolitan shake.  

What was your first concert? 

My first concert ever was Carrie Underwood. It was also my first solo flight. My parents flew me to Vegas to meet my aunt, and she took me to Carrie Underwood. I was young. As a kid, I went to so many. My neighbor was really into music, and now she’s a producer. She would take me to Hannah Montana, Corbin Bleu, Demi Lovato, all of the pop stars at that time – I went to all of those. Recently, I saw Dermot Kennedy at the Oprah House in Sydney. That was awesome.  

Who is your favorite artist? 

If I had to pick artists that I’d go see right now – like dying to see – I would want to see Hozier live. I think it would be a beautiful concert. I’ve always wanted to see Adele live. I guess it’s a thing now. I need to go to Vegas. I really like Lizzy McAlpine, she’s younger and very singer/songwriter-y. I just think her voice is like buttery. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite artist, she’s more who I’ve been listening to a lot. She’s kind of like Phoebe Bridgers, you know those female singer songwriters. I love Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks, classic rock female artists.  

What is a fun fact about you? 

Growing up, my dad had this band that he was in with five of his friends. They would play at local places. They needed a female singer, so I would play with them and be the singer of their band. They would bring me on for five or six of their songs. I sang Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar.  

What is an essential part of your everyday routine? 

Drinking coffee or matcha. I’m a big routine girl. I time it out specifically. I wake up, do my morning routine. This is my thing: coffee, two eggs, and toast, sit outside, drink my coffee and eat my toast. I love to sit outside with my breakfast to decompress. If its pouring, I’ll go inside, it’s a little less fun. 

What was your favorite subject in school? 

I liked English. I like to read and write. I like to think about things, and in English you get to think about things. Very introspective.  

Who is your athlete idol? 

This is going around the question, but for me, I think sports are the most inspiring thing. All of these sports documentaries, all of these things that come out and teach you more about a sport that you didn’t know – that is inspiring. I watched the Mark Cavendish documentary. He is a cyclist. That was crazy to me, and I thought it was so cool. When I watch those, it makes me want to go play my sport. The Deepest Breath, it’s another documentary about deep divers. That one I highly recommend. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am really into the stories around sports. They always say something bigger about sports and the athletes, and it is such a reflection on the world and what’s going on. That’s what inspires me.  

What’s your favorite movie? 

Ten Things I Hate About You. It’s with Heath Ledger. It’s my go to. When I was younger, I loved it. It has sentimental value. How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days is in there, too.  

Did you have a dream job prior to playing pro soccer? 

My dream job was probably not to be an athlete. There were so many things I wanted to do. At one point I remember my dream job was to be the speech writer for the President. It would be terrible. I look back at it now, and God I would be so stressed, but at the time it was the coolest thing ever to me.  

Do you have a travel bucket list? 

Right now, I really want to go explore more in Indonesia. I went to Bali. My favorite place I have been is either Barcelona or Annecy, France. Annecy is a little town in between the Swiss Alps in France. It’s beautiful, and it’s isolated. I went with my family, and you know how it’s just different, when you’re on your own or with your friends – you can explore and go out. With my family it’s definitely more of a vacation. This was random of us. It’s niche, my Dad found Annecy. It was so random. We went, and it was the most peaceful place. I felt like I was living there, not traveling, I wasn’t expecting to feel that way. I love experiencing a different culture. I played in Australia, and I went to Bali before I left. That’s why I want to go to Indonesia more. You go to Europe and obviously it’s cool; it’s Europe. Indonesia was the first place that I stepped off the plane, and I knew I was in a different place. It felt like a different world, and that was really cool.  

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