Kellyn Acosta

Kellyn Kai Perry-Acosta (born July 24, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin.

Acosta was raised in Plano, Texas. His father is Japanese American while his mother is African American. Acosta's paternal grandmother is Japanese, and the surname Acosta comes from his Mexican paternal step-grandfather. Plano was an overwhelmingly white city when he was growing up. In his predominantly white neighborhood, Acosta said in 2022 that he had long tried to hide any evidence of his Japanese roots in order to blend in and 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."

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). 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.

Acosta made his first-team debut in a 3–0 loss at Seattle in August 2013. 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.

On July 23, 2018, Acosta was traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Dominique Badji. 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.

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. Acosta scored Colorado's playoff-clinching goal in a 1–0 win at Portland Timbers on November 4. Acosta started and played 81 minutes in Colorado's MLS Cup Playoff first-round loss to Minnesota United 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.