Kotaro Umeda: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:23, 4 February 2026

Kotaro Umeda (born February 15, 1998) is a former professional soccer player, motivational speaker, and author. He competed professionally in multiple countries and leagues, including Brazil, Portugal, the United States, and Hong Kong. Umeda is a United Soccer League champion and the first Asian American player to sign with Joinville Esporte Clube.

Early life

Umeda was born in Tokyo, Japan, and later developed his soccer career in the United States. During his youth career, he was ranked among the top 160 recruits nationally and the No. 4 overall recruit in the state of Ohio for the class of 2016.^[1]

He chose to attend the University of Louisville after considering several collegiate programs.^[2]

Career

Umeda played collegiate soccer for the Louisville Cardinals before beginning his professional career. He later competed for Joinville Esporte Clube in Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro, Pevidem SC in the Campeonato de Portugal, South Georgia Tormenta FC in the United Soccer League, Michigan Stars FC in the National Independent Soccer Association, and Resources Capital FC in the Hong Kong Premier League.

On May 5, 2022, Umeda signed with South Georgia Tormenta FC.^[3]

At the age of 22, he sustained a significant hamstring injury that impacted his professional career.^[4]

Umeda won the Campeonato Catarinense in 2021 and the United Soccer League Championship in 2022.

On August 13, 2025, Umeda announced his retirement from professional soccer.^[5]

Media

Personal life

After signing his first professional soccer contract at the age of 20, Umeda returned to the University of Louisville and completed his bachelor’s degree through the NCAA Division I Degree Completion Award Program.^[6]

References

[1] ttps://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kotaro-umeda/7120

[2] ttps://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kotaro-umeda/7120

[3] ttps://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/tormenta-fc-signs-defender-kotaro-umeda/n-5822684

[4] ttps://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/5/8/media-center-kotaro-umeda-navigated-collegiate-professional-soccer-through-discipline-courage-and-faith.aspx

[5] ttps://sports.yahoo.com/article/mayfield-graduate-kotaro-umeda-announces-035900104.html

[6] ttps://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/5/8/media-center-kotaro-umeda-navigated-collegiate-professional-soccer-through-discipline-courage-and-faith.aspx

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Infobox person
 | name = Kotaro Umeda
-| image = File:KOTARO UMEDA.jpg
+| image = Kotaro Umeda Image.jpeg
 | caption =
 | birth_date = February 15, 1998
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 }}
-'''Kotaro Umeda''' (born February 15, 1998) is a former professional soccer player who competed in leagues across Brazil, Portugal, the United States, and Hong Kong. Following his playing career, he became a motivational speaker, author, and fashion model based in New York City.<ref name="wiki">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotaro_Umeda</ref>
+'''Kotaro Umeda''' (born February 15, 1998) is a former professional soccer player, motivational speaker, and author. He competed professionally in multiple countries and leagues, including Brazil, Portugal, the United States, and Hong Kong. Umeda is a United Soccer League champion and the first Asian American player to sign with Joinville Esporte Clube.
 == Early life ==
-Umeda was born on February 15, 1998, in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. He later moved to the United States, where he attended Mayfield High School before playing collegiate soccer at the University of Louisville.<ref name="louisville">https://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kotaro-umeda/7120</ref>
+Umeda was born in Tokyo, Japan, and later developed his soccer career in the United States. During his youth career, he was ranked among the top 160 recruits nationally and the No. 4 overall recruit in the state of Ohio for the class of 2016.<ref>https://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kotaro-umeda/7120</ref>
+He chose to attend the University of Louisville after considering several collegiate programs.<ref>https://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/kotaro-umeda/7120</ref>
 == Career ==
-Umeda began his professional soccer career with Joinville Esporte Clube in Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro, becoming the first Asian American player to sign for the club in its history.<ref name="joinville">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotaro_Umeda</ref>
+Umeda played collegiate soccer for the Louisville Cardinals before beginning his professional career. He later competed for Joinville Esporte Clube in Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro, Pevidem SC in the Campeonato de Portugal, South Georgia Tormenta FC in the United Soccer League, Michigan Stars FC in the National Independent Soccer Association, and Resources Capital FC in the Hong Kong Premier League.
+On May 5, 2022, Umeda signed with South Georgia Tormenta FC.<ref>https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/tormenta-fc-signs-defender-kotaro-umeda/n-5822684</ref>
+At the age of 22, he sustained a significant hamstring injury that impacted his professional career.<ref>https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/5/8/media-center-kotaro-umeda-navigated-collegiate-professional-soccer-through-discipline-courage-and-faith.aspx</ref>
-He later played for Pevidem SC in the Campeonato de Portugal, South Georgia Tormenta FC in the United Soccer League, Michigan Stars FC in the National Independent Soccer Association, and Resources Capital FC in the Hong Kong Premier League.<ref name="transfermarkt">https://www.transfermarkt.us/kotaro-umeda/profil/spieler/695176</ref><ref name="fbref">https://fbref.com/en/players/e500d813/Kotaro-Umeda</ref>
+Umeda won the Campeonato Catarinense in 2021 and the United Soccer League Championship in 2022.
-During his career, Umeda won the Campeonato Catarinense in 2021 and the United Soccer League championship in 2022.<ref name="usl">https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/249744/kotaro-umeda</ref>
+On August 13, 2025, Umeda announced his retirement from professional soccer.<ref>https://sports.yahoo.com/article/mayfield-graduate-kotaro-umeda-announces-035900104.html</ref>
 == Media ==
@@ Line 31: / Line 37: @@
 File:Kutaro,,Umeda.jpeg
 </gallery>
 == Personal life ==
-After retiring from professional soccer, Umeda transitioned into motivational speaking and writing. He has published multiple books focused on discipline, identity, and mental resilience and has spoken to audiences internationally. He is also active as a fashion model and has been represented in New York Fashion Week and by international brands.<ref name="speaker">https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/kotaro-umeda/</ref><ref name="emg">https://www.emgmodels.com/new-york-men-development/kotaro-umeda</ref>
+After signing his first professional soccer contract at the age of 20, Umeda returned to the University of Louisville and completed his bachelor’s degree through the NCAA Division I Degree Completion Award Program.<ref>https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/5/8/media-center-kotaro-umeda-navigated-collegiate-professional-soccer-through-discipline-courage-and-faith.aspx</ref>
-Umeda is based in New York City.<ref name="website">https://www.kotaroumeda.com</ref>
-== Career statistics ==
-Career statistics and match data for Umeda are documented by football databases including Transfermarkt, FBref, and Global Sports Archive.<ref name="globalsports">https://globalsportsarchive.com/en/soccer/athlete/kotaro-umeda/422776/career</ref>
 == References ==
 <references />