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Kotaro Umeda (梅田小太郎, Umeda Kotaro, born 15 February 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Michigan Stars in the National Independent Soccer Association.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kotaro Umeda | ||
| Date of birth | 15 February 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Tokyo, Japan[1] | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Michigan Stars | ||
| Number | 47 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2013 | Cleveland Cobras | ||
| 2013–2014 | Cleveland Soccer Academy | ||
| 2014–2016 | Cleveland Internationals | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Louisville Cardinals | 2 | (0) |
| 2018 | Akron Zips | 2 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017 | AFC Cleveland | ||
| 2018 | Cleveland | 4 | (1) |
| 2019 | Joinville | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | GDU Torcatense | 7 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Pevidém | ||
| 2020 | Pevidém B | ||
| 2021 | Joinville | 0 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Blumenau (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2022 | Tormenta | 9 | (0) |
| 2023 | Michigan Stars | 22 | (0) |
| 2024 | Resources Capital | 11 | (0) |
| 2024– | Michigan Stars | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 October 2024 | |||
Umeda was born in Tokyo, Japan but grew up in the United States, where he played several championships before turning professional in Brazil, playing for Joinville Esporte Clube.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Umeda and his family moved to the United States when he was six years old. At the age of nine, he was spotted by Kia Zolgharnain, who helped his evolution into a professional footballer.[2] Umeda is a Mayfield High School alumni and played NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Louisville before becoming a pro in Brazil.[3]
Umeda played youth football in the United States. He was a member of the Internationals Soccer Club and the Cleveland Soccer Academy in Cleveland.[4]
Joinville
In 2019, Umeda joined Joinville Esporte Clube and competed in the Brazilian Championship.[5][6] He is the first-ever Asian athlete to represent Joinville.[7][8]
After the 2019 season, Umeda made his debut in the Portuguese Championship.[9][10] He returned to Joinville in May 2021.[11]
Umeda became the brand ambassador for Joinville Esporte Clube and helped to benefit Joinville, according to football director Leo Roesler. The partnership intends to expand the JEC brand's international reach in the Asian market.[12]
Portugal
In the Campeonato de Portugal, Umeda made his debut in November 2019. He joined Pevidém in 2020 and made an appearance for their "B" team, in the Divisão de Honra AF Braga, on 11 August.[13]
Resources Capital
On 10 January 2024, Umeda joined Hong Kong Premier League club Resources Capital.
Umeda published his first book, I'm With You, in English in 2019. He also published the book in Portuguese. Umeda promotes help to needy families while sharing football responsibilities with Joinville Esporte Clube.[14]
Umeda became an ambassador for the United Way of Greater Cleveland in 2020, an endowment that supports low-income families and fights prejudice.[15]
Umeda is a brand ambassador for Obsesh, which is an online platform that communicates directly with fans and supporters.[16]
Club
| Club | Season | League | State League | Cup[lower-alpha 1] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| AFC Cleveland | 2017 | NPSL | 2+ | 0+ | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2+ | 0+ | |||
| Cleveland SC | 2018 | NPSL | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Joinville | 2019 | Série D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Torcatense | 2019–20 | Pró-Nacional AF Braga | 7 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| Pevidém | 2020–21 | Campeonato de Portugal | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | |||||||
| Pevidém B | 2020–21 | Divisão de Honra AF Braga | 1+ | 0+ | — | — | — | — | 1+ | 0+ | ||||
| Joinville | 2021 | Série D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Blumenau (loan) | 2021 | Campeonato Catarinense Série C | — | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Tormenta FC | 2022 | USL League One | 9 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 23+ | 1+ | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30+ | 1+ | ||
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