Akwasi Douglas '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Akwasi Douglas and I am originally from Ghana, Africa. I have been playing soccer since I was 2 years old. Soccer was a huge part of life in my hometown of Kumasi, Ghana. I grew up in a very poor area. I would often use it as a way of escape for me when I was hungry or having a bad day. Even though I experienced hardships while growing up, God truly blessed me and protected me along the way. There was a dirt field next to my home where the neighborhood kids would play. You could find me there almost every day! There was also a large stadium down the road from my home and I would even sneak in as a kid to watch games. Soon after my father died,  my younger brother and sister, including myself had to move to an orphanage. We were adopted 5 years ago and now live in Fenton, Missouri with my parents and 4 siblings. Living here has allowed me to have a better opportunity to play a higher-level of soccer where I wouldn’t have had that opportunity in Africa. After trying out for the STL FC club in 2015, the  coaches acknowledged my potential as a skillful soccer player and placed me on the academy team. I was super excited and grateful! Also getting the opportunity to be called up to have a session with the U.S national team coaches made me more confident and grateful to potentially play professionally one day.

My dream is to play professionally one day as a career. I am not sure what that path looks like, but I also know academics is very important. I would like to attend a college that has a competitive soccer program that could hopefully help me play professional one day. One of the studies that interests me is the  area of physical therapy and athletic training. No matter what the path God has for me, I’m ready to work hard and to make an impact wherever I go.