Da Costa left Botafogo and started to prioritize school and work over soccer. He still played with friends for fun a few times a week, but the dreams he once had of playing professionally were essentially over.
But six years later when he least expected it, that dream was handed a lifeline. Amaury Nunes, who played for the Charleston Battery in 2010 and runs the A10 Academy in Brazil, saw Da Costa at a local tournament and talked to him about getting a scholarship to play college soccer in the United States.
https://www.facebook.com/FNUConquistadors/videos/2063745483664443/?t=23
Da Costa, who was in his first year of university studies in Rio at the time, says his mother – who had always pushed him to prioritize school over sports – endorsed the move to Miami to attend Florida Memorial University, where he would receive a full scholarship and the chance to play competitively again.
After making the life-changing move to America at the age of 21, Da Costa endured an injury-marred freshman campaign. He then transferred to Florida National University to follow his coach from FMU and the decision paid dividends.
In his senior season with the Conquistadors, Da Costa scored 16 goals and led the USCAA with 11 assists. While excelling at school and work was still the primary focus, he started getting noticed for his efforts on the field.
A member of the USCAA All-American First Team and All-Academic Team in his senior season, Da Costa went on to play for the North Miami Beach-based Florida Soccer Soldiers, who you may have heard of recently due to their run to the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Following with his stint there – and thanks to Nunes’ relationship with Roughnecks Head Coach Michael Nsien – Da Costa ended up in Tulsa alongside Lobo and fellow Brazilian Renan Ferreira this offseason.
Since touching down in Oklahoma in February, there’s been nothing but success coming Da Costa’s way both on and off the field. He’s had the sort of influence on the Roughnecks’ fortunes that Juan Pablo Caffa did two seasons ago in Tulsa when the Argentine veteran first arrived in the Championship, only with none of the fanfare.
Time will tell whether this edition of the Roughnecks can match the club’s 2017 campaign, which stands as the lone season in which the club reached the USL Cup Playoffs. Sitting in sixth place going into this Saturday’s visit to Las Vegas Lights FC, they’re right in the thick of things with one-third of the season done.
But whatever happens over the rest of the season, Da Costa is seizing the spotlight, and it’s very much been worth watching.
