Osaka, Japan paints a staggeringly different picture compared to any state in America.
With notable landmarks such as the Osaka Castle, Dotonbori District and Universal Studios Japan, the city is home to nearly 3 million people.
Among those residents of Osaka, you can find Suzuka Yosue, a fifth-year student and forward for ASU women’s soccer.
While soccer ranks among the top three most popular sports in Japan, Yosue chose to embark on a soccer career in the United States, more than 6,400 miles away from her home and start a new journey in a foreign location.
Leaving her three siblings, two dogs, and her parents in Japan, Yosue embarked on the 16 ½ hour flight to America by herself and turned the page on a new chapter in her life.
“I didn’t want to lose against boys”
The choice to come to America, where she thought she would gain the best opportunities both academic and athletic wise was a no-brainer for Yosue.
She recalls beginning soccer when she was just eight years old. The boys in her neighborhood would often play in the street or at the local club and one day, they invited her along to participate.
“I joined them and I was so competitive, like always,” Yosue said. “I didn’t want to lose against boys and I always enjoyed competing.”
The rough-and-tough competition she faced from an early age began to develop her love for competition and made her hungry for “more, more, more.”
She was fully addicted to the sport of soccer.
So, at the young age of 12, Yosue left her home in Osaka and traveled to Shizuoka, Japan to attend the JFA Academy – a boarding school that focuses on training youth in soccer as well as their education.
“I feel like all my life (has been) about soccer,” Yosue said. “I was still so young when I moved.”
After making the move to Shizuoka, the young soccer player was nearly four hours away from her family and her home. With no distractions at-hand, her focus turned solely towards soccer.
Yosue spent nearly six years with the academy, training under some of the best coaches and mentors in the country and now it was time for her to determine what her next step was.
Her eagerness to find a new home in a foreign land was endorsed by the JFA Academy who always encouraged their players to take-on new and unfamiliar opportunities.
She had harbored the desire to explore life beyond Japan and in the states of America since childhood, a sentiment that was firmly reinforced in 2015 when she witnessed the World Cup finals between the U.S. and Japan.
Yosue had already been to the U.S. a couple of times before alongside the JFA Academy for some overseas games, making the decision a little less intimidating for the Osaka native.
“I had the experience,” Yosue said. “I had the opportunity to come to the U.S. and I saw the Stanford vs. FSU (game) and I think that was one of the biggest things (in making) my decision.”
Having witnessed women’s collegiate soccer firsthand, Yosue was enthusiastic about leaving her own mark on the field, much like the players who had left an impression on her.
So, she turned the chapter to start yet another journey, but this time to America.
Military school?
An unexpected landing spot for Yosue came in the form of The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Yosue only had two months to decide where she wanted to touchdown and in a rushed decision, she chose to be a Bulldog.
“I didn’t really pick that part,” Yosue said. “But I just had the opportunity (in) getting (a) scholarship and stuff.”
Facing a dilemma when choosing the place she would reside for the next four years, she opted for the one that became accessible to her the soonest as well as the best combination of the finest educational and athletic programs.
“I couldn’t really speak English at the time and no other colleges I could go to,” Yosue said. “I just wanted to study.”
An admirable approach and technically, the best way to pick a university.
Although rushed, the decision worked out for Yosue and the young forward appeared in 17 of the Bulldogs 19 games, starting in 15 during her inaugural season.
She scored the second most goals on the team with four at an impressive 74% success rate of her shots finding the back of the net.
Yosue played consistently well her sophomore season as well before a staggering jump in performance her junior season where she started in 18 of 19 games, led her team in goals with 11, assists with 11 and points with 33.
Following an outstanding junior year that would be difficult to surpass, in her final season with The Citadel she came close to matching her career highs recording nine goals, 11 assists, and 29 points. Remarkably, she once again led her team in all these categories.
At the completion of her tenure with The Citadel, Yosue collected several accolades including two All-Southern Conference First Team nods, one second team, Offensive Player of the Month in Sept. of 2021 and two Preseason All-Southern Conference Teams.
Just to name a few.
With her impressive track record, Yosue had her sights set on playing at the next level following her graduation from The Citadel in 2022.
But, unfortunately for the talented player, she learned that she had to explore other options first.
“I always wanted to go to the next level after college,” Yosue said. “But, I knew that (The Citadel) wasn’t enough (to get me there).”
To further develop her skills and explore her potential, she made a move from the East Coast to the West Coast to pursue a master’s degree in organizational leadership while also becoming a member of the Sun Devil women’s soccer team.
“Wherever the opportunity will take me”
With just one more year remaining in her academics and the hopeful prospect of progressing to the next stage of her soccer career, she traveled another 2,000 miles.
Another staggeringly different chapter to turn to compared to her life in Osaka and in Charleston.
For one, the average temperature only reaches a high of 88 degrees in Charleston and 92 degrees in Osaka.
Much more appealing weather for a soccer player.
However, Yosue was ready for it. She possesses a strong mind that allows her to dive headfirst into any obstacle in her way.
Even if that obstacle comes in the form of 54 endless days of 110 degrees.
“I wanted to challenge myself for my last year,” Yosue said. “To see what level I am and (also) to be seen more (and) to get more opportunities.”
Yosue sure has challenged herself and so far, it is working out for the former Bulldog.
As the starting forward on a 10-5-4 Sun Devil team, Yosue has added two goals, six assists and 10 points to her fifth season with 63% of her shots being on goal.
A big reason that Yosue and the team have been finding so much success is due to the tight knit roster of down-to-earth players and the deeply skilled lineup that makes up ASU women’s soccer.
Nothing is worth it unless you are having fun.
“I really love my teammates and coaches and stuff,” Yosue said. “(The) environment is awesome. So, it’s awesome here.”
An additional comforting aspect is the awareness that Yosue is not the only one far from home. Over 15 players on the team hail from outside the United States with homes ranging from Iceland and the Netherlands to Germany and Norway.
Yosue has dominated the 2023 season with the Sun Devils and is unquestionably making strides toward her goals of garnering greater recognition as a player and attracting more attention.
Piling on the minutes for ASU on top of her dependable performance game after game in her final collegiate season, there is no telling what the limits are for Yosue as she enters an endless world of possibilities post-grad.
Whether soccer keeps her in America, takes her back to Japan or throws her into a new country, she will be thankful for whatever the opportunity is when the time comes.
“Not (any plans) yet because I still have to finish my master’s and that’s going to be (in) July,” Yosue said. “So, I think I’m gonna move forward after, (and keep playing soccer) but I haven’t decided yet …wherever (the opportunity) will take me.”
