Kadeisha Buchanan


Kadeisha Buchanan, nicknamed Keisha, is a Canadian soccer player for Olympique Lyonnais in Division 1 Féminine. She is also a member of the Canadian national team. She was born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, Ontario, the youngest of seven girls in a single-parent home. She was only 17 when she made her debut for the Canada National team on January 12, 2013.
At the 2015 Women's World Cup, Buchanan won the Young Player Award.

Career

College

Buchanan played college soccer at West Virginia University, for the Mountaineers, where she co-captained the team, and won numerous accolades.

Toronto Lady Lynx

In 2013, she played 4 games for the Toronto Lady Lynx, a USL W-League team. She, amazingly, scored a goal there.

Ottawa Fury Women

In 2014, she played a game for the Ottawa Fury Women, as well as in the W-League, right before they folded.

Vaughan Azzurri

In June 2016, Buchanan signed with Vaughan Azzurri of League1 Ontario to get game action prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics. She only played one game, however––a 9–0 win over Darby.

Olympique Lyonnais

Upon graduating from West Virginia University, Buchanan was a highly rated prospect prior to the 2017 NWSL College Draft. In December 2016, Buchanan was being linked with a move to Europe, along with fellow Canadian team member Ashley Lawrence. In January 2017, it was announced that Buchanan had signed with Olympique Lyonnais of Division 1 Féminine. In June 2018, Buchanan would sign a three-year contract extension which would keep her with Lyon until 2022.

International

Buchanan was 14 years old when she was recruited to the Canadian youth program in 2010. She won a silver medal at the 2012 CONCACAF Women's U-17 championship in Guatemala. When she was called up to the Canadian women's national team on January 12, 2013 against China while still in high school, Buchanan became one of the youngest players on any women's national team.
Buchanan scored her first international goal against the United States on May 8, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in front of the second largest crowd to ever watch a women's soccer game in Canada. The game ended in a 1–1 draw. Buchanan was also named Canada's Under-20 Women's Player of the Year in 2013, and anchored the host nation's defence at the 2014 Women's U-20 World Cup Canada in 2014.
In 2015, Buchanan established herself as one of the best defenders in the world, winning the Young Player Award in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as being named Canadian Women's Player of the Year, and being nominated for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
On May 25, 2019, she was named to the roster for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
On February 9, 2020, Buchanan played her 100th match for Canada in a 0–3 loss against the United States.

Awards

Club

;Olympique Lyonnais
;Canada

Club

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1May 8, 2014Investors Group Field1–11–1Friendly
2January 11, 2015Shenzhen Bay Sports Center2–12–1Four Nations Tournament
3February 14, 2016BBVA Compass Stadium3–06–0CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifier
4June 10, 2019Stade de la Mosson1–01–02019 FIFA Women's World Cup

Education and scholastic playing career

Buchanan attended Cardinal Leger Catholic Secondary School, where she played flag football, volleyball, and basketball in addition to soccer. She was enrolled in general studies. She earned a place on the Garret Ford Academic Honour Roll.
Buchanan attends West Virginia University, where she plays collegiate soccer for the Mountaineers and has qualified for the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Personal life

Both of Buchanan's parents are originally from Jamaica. Her father was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica while her mother is originally from Montego Bay. Kadeisha grew up in the greater Toronto area, specifically Brampton and Mississauga. Buchanan is the youngest of her mom's seven daughters. There are 11 siblings in total.