Chicago Fire star helps kids enjoy ‘the beautiful game’ at TOCA clinic
Chicago Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta places a high priority on giving back to people.
“The whole mantra is you’ve got to leave an imprint and leave the community better than you found it,” said Acosta, who has 58 U.S. National Team appearances and played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
To help do that, he has a charity, The Kellyn Acosta Foundation.
“I think I have a duty as an athlete to use my platform to help those around me and help better the community, especially with the youth. The youth is our future,” he said.
The Fire signed Acosta as a free agent in February. And since the summer, he’s been a partner in TOCA Football, which in late 2023 opened its 39th North American location in Naperville.
On Dec. 7, the Kellyn Acosta Foundation will host its first soccer clinic at TOCA Naperville, 1740 Quincy Ave.
Founded in 2016 in Costa Mesa, California, the key to the TOCA system is a soccer ball delivery system that can give players 10 times the number of repetitions, or “touches,” with the ball.
That’ll be one key part of Acosta’s Dec. 7 clinic.
“I think it’s about just getting touches, getting familiarized with the game, building confidence,” said Acosta, 29, from Plano, Texas.
“There obviously will be coaches there, but I’ll be demonstrating skills, giving pointers, taking pictures, autographs, and just sharing my love for the beautiful game with the community,” he said.
Children ages 6 to 9 can join the clinic from 4 to 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 7. The time slots for players 10 to 16 years old are from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
The cost is $60 per player, with proceeds going to The Kellyn Acosta Foundation — a project of the charitable Players Philanthropy Fund.
Participants are limited to 40 per session. People may register by visiting tocafootball.com/offer/kellyn-acosta-soccer-clinic-2024 or by calling (630) 470-6400.
The foundation is also holding a holiday toy drive on Dec. 7 at TOCA Naperville, as well as a 50/50 raffle.
In addition to The Kellyn Acosta Foundation, Acosta is an ambassador for the Special Olympics and the American Amputee Soccer Association. He also is an advocate for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
In 2020, he was voted the Colorado Rapids’ Humanitarian of the Year. He also won Major League Soccer’s humanitarian award as a member of Black Players for Change. He’s nominated for another MLS charitable award this year.
Through his foundation, Acosta raises awareness and funds for disadvantaged or disabled children. Through soccer, he attempts to unify communities and educate young people.
To help provide access to the sport, Acosta seeks to build either full-size soccer fields or “mini-pitches.” Since joining the Fire from the Los Angeles Galaxy, he said, he helped develop a large field in Chicago’s Gage Park.
“My mission is to serve underprivileged youth in underserved communities through supporting education … and giving them pathways to have a better life,” he said. “My goal is just to help their social skills, give them structure, feel camaraderie, and then enjoy the beautiful game.”