You can watch Polish PKO BP Ekstraklasa matches in the US and Canada exclusively on beIN Sports USA!

Reaching the Ekstraklasa in Poland

Moving out of the United States for the first time at the age of 30? And to Poland? Kellyn Acosta made a very unusual decision, especially for a 58-time US soccer representative. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I always said loudly that I wanted to play in Europe. I had several offers, but after talks with coach Thomas Thomasberg, president Alex Haditaghi, and vice president Tan Kesler, I decided to transfer to Pogoń Szczecin. I saw the team, the facilities, the fans, and decided that this was a good direction for me to take the next step," explains Acosta in an exclusive interview for beIN Sports USA.

“I didn’t know anything about the Polish league. I asked Mateusz Bogusz and Mateusz Klich, two Poles I knew from MLS, about soccer in Poland. They helped me. I can see that the league is very competitive. At the time of the transfer, only 11 points separated the top of the league from the relegation zone. It’s crazy,” he adds.

How did Kellyn learn about the Polish league?

Kellyn knew more about the Polish league of… amputee soccer players than he did about the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. He became interested in this topic in the United States. He worked on behalf of people with disabilities, founded his own foundation, and is an ambassador for the US Amputee Soccer Team. “In the US, amputee soccer is just developing. I know that Poland has forceful teams, as does Turkey," notes Acosta. Polish AMP soccer representative Marcin Oleksy won the FIFA Puskas Award in 2022; the national team has three European Championship medals; and Wisła Kraków won the Champions League in this variation of soccer.

The PKO BP Ekstraklasa is not yet as strong as its amputee soccer counterpart, but Acosta came to Poland with the dream of returning to the US national team. He made his debut during the tenure of famous coach Jurgen Klinsmann. In 2021, he played 21 games in one year, achieving the best result in the 21st century. He was also nominated for the title of soccer player of the year in the USA. However, he last played for the national team almost three years ago, in April 2023.

The dream of playing the World Cup

"I don't think I've closed the door on a transfer to Poland. It's a very competitive league, and I hope that my good performances will attract the attention of the national team staff. Playing in the World Cup in my country would be a dream come true. It's the pinnacle of a soccer career to represent your country at the highest level. First, however, I have to do my job here in Szczecin, and I am 100% focused on Pogoń. I have a difficult road ahead of me, but soccer is very intriguing, and a lot can happen,” says Acosta.

“The US national team's chances at the 2026 World Cup? They will be successful for us. Recently, we have had a young team that has gained experience. They will fight even harder on their home turf. Everyone wants to win the trophy, but who knows what will happen,” says the 30-year-old.

Acosta's performance in the Ekstraklasa

Acosta does not have an easy task in the Polish league. Pogoń Szczecin, which has been a regular contender in recent years, is currently in crisis. Its most important goal is to stay in the league. This is something new for Kellyn, because in the MLS there is no relegation to a lower league.

"Yes, it's a new experience for me, so I'm excited. You can feel the stakes of every game. We have enough games left to achieve good results. We have a good team, and I settled in easily because everyone speaks English, so I can communicate. The guys are great on and off the field because we often go out for coffee and walks. Our goal is to reward the fans for coming to the stadium and being such fanatics," Kellyn declares.

After his transfer to Pogoń Szczecin, Kellyn has already played in two matches. The Polish league operates on a different match system than MLS, so the 30-year-old player had to change his preseason training routine for the first time. “I needed some time to get into the rhythm. I've been with the club for a few weeks now, but I'm only just becoming available to play. I had to get in shape, and I'm still working on my full fitness, but I feel good. I have strength, and I think I'll get better with every game,” says the defensive midfielder.

Adjusting to Poland

Unlike many other foreigners, Kellyn was not surprised by the low temperatures in Poland. When he joined Pogoń Szczecin, it was a harsh winter with snow and temperatures of 4 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. “Although I was born in Texas, I lived in Chicago, so winter doesn't scare me. I went for walks right away. Europe is something new for me, and I really like it here. I want to see as much as possible,” says the player.

Apart from soccer, Kellyn is interested in fashion and food. Polish cuisine is very well known. “I haven't had a chance to explore it yet, but I plan to do so because everyone tells me about the delicious dishes from Poland,” says Acosta. He has roots in Japan, for which he could even play on the national team, as well as the US and Mexico. Which cuisine do I prefer the most? “A little bit of everything. I love sushi, tacos, and enchiladas. But I also like European cuisine—pasta is significant in my diet,” he adds.

When I asked why fans in the United States should watch the Polish Ekstraklasa, he didn't hesitate with his answer. “It's a fierce league where every game is hugely important. Every team is fighting for something: to stay in the league, the championship, or the European Cups. You can see that the league is developing because better and better players are coming to Poland, and, equally interesting, European clubs are buying up the best talent from Poland,” Acosta encourages.

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