Team USA midfielder Kellyn Acosta looks back on the moments that led him to a place of acceptance he occupies today, hoping to inspire others of Asian descent who have similarly felt the sting of exclusion. - NBCAsianAmerica
Link copiedThe moment Team USA midfielder Kellyn Acosta’s feet touched the turf at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he said he felt awash with gratitude. The professional soccer player, who’s Black and Japanese American, said he knew his participation in the international tournament would mean “something that’s just bigger than me.”
As the World Cup ends on Sunday, the midfielder looks back on the moments of both pain and growth that led him to a place of acceptance he occupies today, hoping to inspire others of Asian descent who have similarly felt the sting of exclusion. While the U.S. left the tournament after a loss to the Netherlands in a 3-1 game, Acosta received praise for his performance in the matches leading up to it from the Asian community and beyond, playing an integral role in the team’s advancement to the Round of 16. And he enjoyed the ride with the Asian American community on his mind.
“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 said. “It was so puzzling for some and I kind of got made fun of for it.” “I kind of just realized that enough is enough. I’m tired of just shying away and hiding behind who I am. I think once I kind of just buckled down and focused on how soccer was the sport that I wanted to play … everything else was like, ‘OK, I’ve knocked down that wall now, what’s next?” he said. “I gotta give credit to the sport because the sport is what allowed me to knock down all these walls that part of me didn’t even realize were up.
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