Kellyn Acosta

Kellyn Kai Perry-Acosta (born July 24, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC and the United States national team.

Kellyn Acosta
Acosta with FC Dallas in 2013
Personal information
Full name Kellyn Kai Perry-Acosta[1]
Date of birth (1995-07-24) July 24, 1995[1]
Place of birth Plano, Texas, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.77 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Los Angeles FC
Number 23
Youth career
2009–2013 FC Dallas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2018 FC Dallas 117 (9)
2018–2021 Colorado Rapids 79 (7)
2022– Los Angeles FC 42 (2)
International career‡
2010–2011 United States U17 18 (0)
2012 United States U18 4 (0)
2013–2015 United States U20 15 (0)
2016 United States U23 2 (0)
2016– United States 58 (2)
Honours
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner2017 United States
Winner2021 United States
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner2021 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 13, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 19, 2023

Early life

Acosta was raised in Plano, Texas.[3] His father is Japanese American while his mother is African American.[4] Acosta's paternal grandmother is Japanese, and the surname Acosta comes from his Mexican paternal step-father.[5] Plano was an overwhelmingly white city when he was growing up. In his predominantly white neighborhood, Acosta said in 2022 he long tried to hide any evidence of his Japanese roots in order to blend in to avoid bullying or any confused stares at his multiethnic family. “I wanted to fit in so bad there were times my Asian grandma would have to pick me up and park around the corner,” he told NBC News. “It was so puzzling for some and I kind of got made fun of for it.”[6]

Club career

FC Dallas

Acosta played for the FC Dallas Development Academy and was committed to play soccer at the University of Maryland prior to becoming a homegrown signing in July 2012 (although he was not eligible for selection until the 2013 season).[7] He did make three MLS Reserve League appearances. He was named U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Conference Player of the Year in 2011–12.[8]

Acosta made his first-team debut in a 3–0 loss at Seattle in August 2013.[9] He made nine consecutive starts from August to October of that season. His 2014 season was interrupted by a knee injury. He initially played fullback for the club, but eventually transitioned to a starting role as a defensive midfielder in 2015.

Colorado Rapids

On July 23, 2018, Acosta was traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Dominique Badji.[10] Acosta started all 12 league matches after joining Colorado, scoring two goals and adding three assists in Burgundy. On February 20, 2019, Acosta signed a three-year contract extension keeping him in Colorado through 2021, with club options for 2022 and 2023.[11]

Acosta enjoyed similar success in 2019, making 30 MLS starts and playing 2,619 minutes, both career highs, while adding two goals and two assists.

In a pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Acosta scored two goals and added one assist as he made 14 starts among 15 league appearances.[12] Acosta scored Colorado's playoff-clinching goal in a 1–0 win at Portland Timbers on Nov. 4.[13] Acosta started and played 81 minutes in Colorado's MLS Cup Playoff first-round loss to Minnesota United FC.[14]

Los Angeles FC

On January 14, 2022, Acosta was acquired by Los Angeles FC from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $1.1 million in General Allocation Money ($550k GAM in 2022 and $550k GAM in 2023). The Rapids would retain a portion of any sale should Acosta be sold elsewhere. Additionally, if certain performance based metrics are met, Colorado will receive an additional $400k GAM.[15]

International career

Acosta was born in the United States to a Japanese father, and an African American Puerto Rican mother, and was eligible for Japan, Puerto Rico or the United States.[16] After having played in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Acosta became the youngest member of the U.S. squad at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[17] He was also part of the squad two years later at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[18]

Acosta made his senior international debut for the United States in a friendly versus Iceland on January 31, 2016.[19] Acosta scored his first senior international goal in a 2–1 friendly win over Ghana on July 1, 2017, curling a direct free kick into the bottom corner for the eventual game-winner.[20] He was selected to the U.S. squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup,[21] which the U.S. would go on to win. Acosta appeared in five of six games, including all three knock-out matches. Acosta made six appearances in international friendlies in 2018, scoring against Colombia on Oct. 12[22] and assisting Josh Sargent's goal against Peru on Oct. 16.[23]

Following an almost 24 month absence from national team duty, Acosta was selected for a December 2020 camp on November 30, 2020, alongside fellow Rapids teammates Cole Bassett and Sam Vines.[24] Acosta replaced Sebastian Lletget in the 68th minute of a 6–0 friendly win over El Salvador on Dec 9 at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.[25] Acosta was called up again in January 2021 alongside Rapids teammates Vines and Jonathan Lewis,[26] playing 90 minutes and assisting on Lewis' second goal in a 7–0 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 31.[27] During the 2021 calendar year, Acosta appeared in 21 out of a possible 22 matches for the United States becoming the first player to do so since 1994.

Acosta was a key member for 2022 World Cup qualification, playing both central and defensive midfield. Acosta jointly led the USMNT along with Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson with 13 appearances out of a possible 14 qualifiers.[28] Acosta made the final World Cup squad, becoming the first Asian American man to appear for the United States in a World Cup, playing in matches against Wales and Iran.[29]

Acosta captained the US in a January 2023 friendly against Colombia, playing 90 minutes in a scoreless draw.[30]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played May 13, 2023[31][32]
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Dallas 2013 Major League Soccer 130–––130
2014 Major League Soccer 150––1[lower-alpha 2]0160
2015 Major League Soccer 21321–3[lower-alpha 2]0264
2016 Major League Soccer 322503[lower-alpha 3]02[lower-alpha 2]0422
2017 Major League Soccer 233–4[lower-alpha 3]3–276
2018 Major League Soccer 13120——151
Total 117991736013913
Colorado Rapids 2018 Major League Soccer 122——–122
2019 Major League Soccer 31210–—322
2020 Major League Soccer 15[lower-alpha 4]2––1[lower-alpha 2]0162
2021 Major League Soccer 211––1[lower-alpha 2]0221
Total 79710—20827
Los Angeles FC 2022 Major League Soccer 32230—3[lower-alpha 2]1383
2023 Major League Soccer 100–6[lower-alpha 3]100161
Total 422306131544
Career total 2381813113411127524
  1. Includes U.S. Open Cup
  2. Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  4. Includes three appearances and one goal in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage

International
As of match played April 19, 2023[33]
National team YearAppsGoals
United States 201640
2017131
201861
202010
2021210
2022100
202330
Total582

Scores and results list United States' goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Kellyn Acosta
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1
 July 1, 2017 Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States  Ghana
2–0
2–1
 Friendly
2
 October 11, 2018 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United States  Colombia
1–1
2–4
 Friendly

Honors

FC Dallas

Los Angeles FC

United States U17

United States

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. May 30, 2015. p. 23. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  2. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: List of players: United States" (PDF). FIFA. November 15, 2022. p. 31. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. "History-making Asian American soccer player describes his journey to self-acceptance". NBC News.
  4. "History-making Asian American soccer player describes his journey to self-acceptance". NBC News.
  5. "Fútbol with Grant Wahl Podcast". March 10, 2022.
  6. "History-making Asian American soccer player describes his journey to self-acceptance". NBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  7. "Google". google.com.
  8. Drew Epperley (July 11, 2013). "Kellyn Acosta Named U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Conference Player of the Year". Big D Soccer.
  9. "Acosta pleased with first MLS appearance in Seattle". FC Dallas. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  10. "FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta traded to Colorado for package including Dom Badji". MLSSoccer.
  11. "Acosta, Rosenberry and Rubio pen long-term deals with the Colorado Rapids".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. "Kellyn Acosta".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. "MLS Match Center".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "MLS Match Center".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. mlssoccer. "Official: LAFC send Colorado up to $1.5 million GAM for USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  16. "10 Things: FC Dallas' versatile Kellyn Acosta on playing for his childhood MLS idol". February 22, 2016.
  17. "Kellyn Acosta named to US U-20 World Cup roster". Soccer Blog. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015.
  18. "U-20 2015 World Cup Roster".
  19. "U.S. MNT vs. Iceland".
  20. "USA 2, Ghana 1 | International Friendly Match Recap".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. "Bruce Arena Names 23-Player U.S. MNT Roster for 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  22. "MNT Falls to Colombia 4–2 in Spirited Kickoff Series Friendly in Tampa".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. "USA vs. Peru, 2018 Friendly, recap: Americans concede late equalizer". October 16, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. "Berhalter Calls 22 Players ahead of USA-El Salvador on Dec. 9 at Inter Miami FC Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale".
  25. "Youthful USMNT Erupts for 6–0 Win Versus El Salvador to Close Out 2020".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. "USMNT Preparation Camp to Begin Jan. 9 in Bradenton, Fla".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. "Three Players Score Twice as U.S. Men's National Team Opens 2021 With Dominant 7–0 Victory Against Trinidad and Tobago".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. "Kellyn Acosta | USMNT | U.S. Soccer Official Site". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  29. "History-making Asian American soccer player describes his journey to self-acceptance". NBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  30. "International Friendly: USA vs. Colombia - Lineup, Schedule & TV Channels". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  31. Kellyn Acosta at Major League Soccer
  32. Kellyn Acosta at Soccerway. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  33. "Kellyn Acosta". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  34. "United States beats Mexico in Gold Cup final on late Miles Robinson header". ESPN. August 1, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  35. "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
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