Michael Acquah joins UUFC, aiming to navigate himself in the coaching field

Syracuse N.Y

As Michael Acquah drove from Syracuse University to the Pastime Athletic Club, heavy rain fell. He was headed to teach soccer basics to juveniles. Even though he felt tired after a regular training session with the Syracuse Men’s Soccer team on Friday, his enthusiasm for teaching kids the fundamentals of soccer remained strong.  

After a brief huddle talk and introductions, he outlined the drills for the two-hour session. He skillfully navigated through the plastic cones, demonstrating quick footwork as he moved left and right, teaching the children how to dribble with precision. His voice resonated throughout the gym as he moved rapidly among the participants, correcting their stances, repeating drills, and emphasizing the essential rule: always keep the ball close.  

Having traveled from Ghana to the U.S., Acquah has faced various challenges, gradually adapting from the faster play at Lindsey Wilson to the more intense Division I soccer at Syracuse. Now, after completing his first coaching session with Upstate United FC’s Fundamentals Development Soccer Program, he embarks on a new chapter in his soccer career.

From Self-Taught Talent to Division I Competitor

Though he couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment it all started. Acquah remembered he honed his football skill naturally—kicking the ball around with friends in school. Growing up in Ghana, the football environment was vastly different from what he encountered in the U.S. Acquah said the football resources were scarce in his country, forcing him to go over the honing process from self-learning to self-teaching.

Despite the challenges, he overcame the obstacles by watching videos from YouTube and thrived while playing for Sporting Club Bucha before setting his sights on a bigger stage. Initially, he hoped to be signed by an academy or professional team in Ghana, but an academic mentor encouraged him to consider college soccer in the U.S.

“He said I was good in school, and also I play well,” Acquah said. “So (he said) I should take the college route. And that's when I started to look into it.”

His first stop in the U.S. was Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, where he made an immediate impact. He scored six goals and provided one assist in his first season and earned a spot on the Mid-South Conference's second team. Though spending some time to 

However, he quickly realized that to maximize his potential and exposure, he needed to challenge himself at a higher level.

“The goal is always good to go professionally,” Acquah said. “At Lindsay, even though you can produce good performances, there are not many scouts or coaches watching. I trained with D-I players during the summer league. You know, you go and then you play with other players, there's not much difference. So I think I can still play D-I. Let me just give it a try.” 

When Acquah transferred to Syracuse in the Spring of 2024, he dealt with ankle sprains that put him through a rigorous rehab process. At the same time, he struggled to adjust to the higher intensity of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). However, he responded to those challenges by modifying his training regimen, which included scoring his first goal for the Orange in the UAlbany game during the 2024 season.

A New Chapter

Acquah’s approach to coaching is deeply personal. When he was playing for the college in the US, he often reflected on his journey and the challenges he faced growing up in Ghana, where access to systematic and well-coached training was limited. After joining the UUFC coaching staff, he aspired to nurture the younger generation at their younger age.

“I want to leave an impression on them and really make them understand the game at a younger age,” He said. “Because for me, I didn't get that opportunity (in the past). So I really want them to understand the game this early.”

Acquah's experience led him to explore alternatives to his professional athlete aspirations. At this stage, he feels that a coaching role would better enable him to shape the future. In January of this year, Acquah began working with UUFC as a player development coach. He prefers simple training techniques that effectively help young athletes develop fundamental skills on the field  

“I know some of the trainings were very complex,” he said. “(But) soccer is a simple game, It has to be played simply.”

From Acquah’s perspective, the role he accepted is about more than just teaching the basics of the game—it’s about shaping young players’ mindsets and helping them understand the sport at a deeper level. Meanwhile, Acquah intends to contribute to the local community through this position.

“It's very exciting when you see these kids who are dedicated to not just play, and maybe some of them are having fun, but some also really want to become like professional soccer players,” Acquah said.

As he continues to navigate his journey in collegiate soccer, he remains committed to making an impact both as a player and as a coach, guiding the next generation of UUFC toward their dreams.