He was raised in
Edmonds, Washington, and graduated from
Edmonds-Woodway High School after joining the Sounders academy. He played for
USL Championship side
Tacoma Defiance from 2019 to 2022. On July 17, 2021, he was loaned to
FC Pinzgau Saalfelden. Kitahara signed with the senior team for the Sounders on October 28, 2022. He made his debut as a substitute in the opening match of the
2023 regular season and started in two
U.S. Open Cup matches. Kitahara was also loaned back to the Defiance for their first season in
MLS Next Pro. His contract option for the
2025 season was declined by the Sounders on December 4, 2024. ==References==