Kayla Bruster
American soccer player (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kayla Lorina Bruster (born April 29, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back. She played college soccer for the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected by San Diego Wave FC in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kayla Lorina Bruster[1] | ||
| Date of birth | April 29, 1999 | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position | Center back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Tophat SC | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2021 | Georgia Bulldogs | 80 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | San Diego Wave | 0 | (0) |
| 2024 | Fylkir | 16 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of March 1, 2025 | |||
Early life
Born to Sherman and Kathy Bruster, Bruster was raised in Atlanta, Georgia.[2] She lived in Smyrna and attended Woodward Academy[3] in the nearby neighborhood of College Park.[4] As a freshman and junior, Bruster was named the MVP of Woodward Academy's soccer team.[3] She also played club soccer for Tophat SC.[5]
College career
Bruster joined the Georgia Bulldogs in 2017. In her second season of college, she started every single one of Georgia's matches, a feat she would later repeat on two other occasions.[2] The following year, Bruster was named to the All-SEC first team.[6] In 2020, she was a member of the All-Conference second team despite missing the SEC Tournament with a finger injury.[2][7][8] Bruster helped to anchor the Bulldogs' backline for three more seasons, including a fifth year in which she opted to play for an extra year of college to set herself up for a chance to play professionally.[9] In her entire collegiate career, Bruster played in 80 matches, was a three-time SEC Honor Roll recipient, and was twice named to the SEC preseason watchlist.[2][10]
Club career
San Diego Wave
San Diego Wave FC selected Bruster in the fourth round of the 2022 NWSL Draft ahead of the team's inaugural season.[11] As the 40th overall pick of the draft, she became the second-ever Bulldog to be drafted into the NWSL.[6] Bruster's rookie season was hampered with injuries and she struggled to earn playing time.[12] In the end, the Wave elected not to exercise Bruster's contract option, and she left San Diego without having made an appearance in any competitions.[13]
Fylkir
On December 21, 2023, Bruster signed with Icelandic club Fylkir, joining the team on a one-year contract on its return to the Besta deild kvenna.[14] She made 16 appearances[15] in her first season with Fylkir, including a standout performance in a 0–0 draw with Víkingur.[16] At the end of the season, Fylkir were relegated back down to the 1. deild kvenna, Iceland's second-tier women's soccer league.[17]
Personal life
Bruster's sister, Baleigh Bruster, played for four years on the Duke Blue Devils women's soccer team.[18]
Career statistics
Club
- As of March 1, 2025[15]
| Club | Season | League | Cup[a] | Playoffs[b] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| San Diego Wave FC | 2022 | NWSL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fylkir | 2024 | Besta deild kvenna | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |
| Career total | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
- Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
- Includes NWSL Playoffs
