Yutaro Tsukada

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Yutaro Tsukada
塚田裕太郎

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|7|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Tokyo, Japan

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Orlando City

| clubnumber = 34

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = FC Tokyo

| collegeyears1 = 2020–2021

| college1 = Daytona State Falcons

| collegecaps1 = 24

| collegegoals1 = 26

| collegeyears2 = 2022–2023

| college2 = West Virginia Mountaineers

| collegecaps2 = 40

| collegegoals2 = 13

| years1 = 2022

| clubs1 = New Mexico United U23

| caps1 = 4

| goals1 = 3

| years2 = 2023

| clubs2 = Capital FC

| caps2 =

| goals2 = 5

| years3 = 2024–

| clubs3 = Orlando City B

| caps3 = 22

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 2024

| clubs4 = → Orlando City (loan)

| caps4 = 1

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2024–

| clubs5 = Orlando City

| caps5 = 2

| goals5 = 0

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 =

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| club-update = 6 October 2024

| nationalteam-update =

}}

{{nihongo|Yutaro Tsukada|塚田裕太郎|Tsukada Yutaro|born 28 July 2001}} is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club Orlando City.

Early life

Tsukada was born in Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedaonline.com/sports/mens_soccer/meet-wvu-men-s-soccer-s-dynamic-duo/article_471b6700-4b5a-11ee-b856-837dd6c89917.html|title=Meet WVU men's soccer's dynamic duo|first=Zach|last=Zeaman|date=September 15, 2023|work=The Daily Athenaeum}} He played youth football with FC Tokyo.{{cite web|url=https://themaneland.com/2024/03/15/orlando-city-signs-draft-pick-yutaro-tsukada-to-mls-next-pro-contract/|title=Orlando City Signs Draft Pick Yutaro Tsukada to MLS NEXT Pro Contract|date=March 15, 2024|work=The Mane Land|first=Michael|last=Citro}}

College career

= Daytona State College =

In 2020, Tsukada began attending Daytona State College.{{cite web|url=https://dscfalcons.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/bios/tsukada_yutaro_ywef|title=Yutaro Tsukada Daytona State profile|work=Daytona State College}} On 11 September 2021, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 victory over the Georgia Military College Bulldogs.{{cite web|url=https://dscfalcons.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/Yutaro_Hat_Trick|title=Tsukada Picks up Hat Trick in 4-2 Victory over Georgia Military College|date=September 14, 2021|work=Daytona State College}} At the end of his sophomore season, he was named to the USC First Team All-America, the NJCAA DI All-American Team, Junior College Division I Men All-East Region, and the Region 8 All-Region Team and the Region 8 Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://dscfalcons.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/The_NJCAA_and_the_United_Soccer_Coaches_announced_the_All-American_teams_for_fall_2021|title=The NJCAA and the United Soccer Coaches Announced the All-American Teams for Fall 2021|date=January 24, 2022|work=Daytona State College}} He departed the school holding 6 school records - most goals in a season (20), most goals in 2 seasons (26), most hat tricks (4), fastest goal in school history (32 seconds), most free kicks scored (4), and most points (63).{{cite web|url=https://dscfalcons.com/sports/msoc/Yutaro_Story|title=Spotlight Player of the Year: Yutaro Tsukada|work=Daytona State College}}

= West Virginia University =

In 2022, he transferred to West Virginia University to play for the men's soccer team in NCAA Division I.{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2022/6/8/mens-soccer-stratford-completes-2022-class.aspx|title=Stratford Completes 2022 Class|first=Joe|last=Mitchin|date=June 8, 2022|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}} He made his debut on August 25 against the Robert Morris Colonials.{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2022/8/25/mens-soccer-no-6-wvu-wins-season-opener.aspx|date=August 25, 2022|work=West Virginia Mountaineers|first=Joe|last=Mitchin|title=No. 6 WVU Wins Season Opener}} On October 11, 2022, he scored his first goal in a victory over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks.{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2022/10/11/mens-soccer-wvu-strolls-to-second-straight-win.aspx|title=WVU Strolls to Second Straight Win|date=October 11, 2022|work=West Virginia Mountaineers|first=Joe|last=Mitchin}} In October 2023, he was named the WVU Student-Athlete of the Week and the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week,{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/10/2/general-tsukada-named-student-athlete-of-the-week.aspx|title=Tsukada Named Student-Athlete of the Week|date=October 2, 2023|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}}{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/10/3/mens-soccer-tsukada-named-sun-belt-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx|title=Tsukada Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week|date=October 3, 2023|work=West Virginia Mountaineers|first=Adam|last=Grossman}} and earned WVU Student-Athlete of the Week honors a second time in November.{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/11/6/general-tsukada-named-student-athlete-of-the-week.aspx|title=Tsukada Named Student-Athlete of the Week|date=November 6, 2023|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}} At the end of his senior season, he was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team, Sun Belt All-Tournament Team, All-Southeast Region First Team, Scholar All-South Region First Team, TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team, All-America Third Team, and the College Soccer News All-America Second Team.{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/yutaro-tsukada/17417|title=Yutaro Tsukada WVU profile|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}}{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/12/8/mens-soccer-caldeira-tsukada-named-united-soccer-coaches-all-americans.aspx|title=Caldeira, Tsukada Named United Soccer Coaches All-Americans|date=December 8, 2023|first=Adam|last=Grossman|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}}{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/12/15/mens-soccer-tsukada-lee-named-scholar-all-americans.aspx|title=Tsukada, Lee Named Scholar All-Americans|date=December 15, 2023|first=Adam|last=Grossman|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}}{{cite web|url=https://wvusports.com/news/2023/12/19/mens-soccer-caldeira-tsukada-collect-national-honors.aspx|title=Caldeira, Tsukada Collect National Honors|date=December 19, 2023|first=Adam|last=Grossman|work=West Virginia Mountaineers}}

Club career

= New Mexico United U23 =

In 2022, Tsukada joined New Mexico United U23, the development team of USL Championship team New Mexico United, in USL League Two.{{cite web|url=https://www.newmexicoutd.com/news/2022/05/24/new-mexico-united-u-23-announces-three-signings-to-inaugural-roster/|title=New Mexico United U-23 Announces Three Signings to Inaugural Roster|date=May 24, 2022|work=New Mexico United}} On 26 May, Tsukada made his debut for the club and scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against the Colorado International Soccer Academy.{{Cite web |title=CISA at New Mexico United U23 |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/game/show/34589975?referrer=7079354 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=USL League Two}} Tsukada made four appearances for the team and scored three goals.{{Cite web |title=Yutaro Tsukada |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/55573655 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=USL League Two}}

= Capital FC =

In 2023, he joined Capital FC in their inaugural season in USL League Two after the team had severed ties with the Portland Timbers.{{Cite web |title=Announcing the new "CFC" - a letter from the director |url=https://www.cfcsalem.com/news/announcing-the-new-cfc-a-letter-from-the-director |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Capital FC}} On 28 May, Tsukada his first goal for the club, the equalizing goal of a 3–1 win at PDX FC.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2023 |title=PDX FC vs Capital FC |url=https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/capital-fc-pdx-fc/rDBcsANqd#id:11106258 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Sofascore}} Tsukada would score five goals for the club.{{Cite web |title=Capital FC |url=https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/capital-fc/416925 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Sofascore}}

= Orlando City B =

At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Tsukada was selected in the first round (25th overall) by Orlando City.{{cite web|url=https://www.wboy.com/goldandbluenation/yutaro-tsukada-drafted-in-first-round-of-mls-superdraft-by-orlando-city/|title=Yutaro Tsukada drafted in first round of MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City|date=December 19, 2023|first=Anjelica|last=Trinone|work=WBOY-TV}}{{cite web|url=https://themaneland.com/2023/12/19/2024-mls-draft-orlando-city-selects-forward-yutaro-tsukada-at-no-25-overall/|title=2024 MLS Draft: Orlando City Selects Winger Yutaro Tsukada at No. 25 Overall|date=December 19, 2023|first=Sean|last=Rollins|work=The Mane Land}} In March 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the reserve affiliate, Orlando City B, in MLS Next Pro.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/news/orlando-city-b-signs-mls-superdraft-selection-yutaro-tsukada|title=Orlando City B signs MLS SuperDraft selection Yutaro Tsukada|date=March 15, 2024|work=Orlando City SC}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wtrf.com/goldandbluenation/former-wvu-soccer-forward-yutaro-tsukada-signs-with-orlando-city-b-of-mls-next-pro/|title=Former WVU soccer forward Yutaro Tsukada signs with Orlando City B of MLS Next Pro|first=Kevin|last=Redfern|date=March 15, 2024|work=WTRF-TV}} On 16 March, he made his professional debut, scoring a free kick in a 3–2 victory over Atlanta United 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ocb/news/match-report-orlando-city-b-wins-season-opener-3-2-against-atlanta-united-2|title=Match Report: Orlando City B wins season opener 3-2 against Atlanta United 2|date=March 16, 2024|work=Orlando City SC}} Tsukada would score seven goals and assist in seven more, totaling 14 goal contributions, the second most for the team behind Alex Freeman.{{Cite web |title=MLS NEXT Pro Player Stats |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/stats/players/#season=2024&competition=mls-next-pro&club=12133&statType=general&position=all |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=MLS Next Pro}}

= Orlando City =

In May 2024, Tsukada signed two short-term loans with the first team.{{cite web |title=Orlando City SC signs Yutaro Tsukada to short-term MLS agreement |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-signs-yutaro-tsukada-to-short-term-mls-agreement |website=Orlando City SC|date=11 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-signs-yutaro-tsukada-to-short-term-mls-agreement|title=Orlando City SC signs Yutaro Tsukada to short-term MLS agreement|date=May 15, 2024|work=Orlando City SC}} He made his Major League Soccer debut on 15 May in a substitute appearance against Inter Miami.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/match-report-orlando-city-sc-plays-to-scoreless-draw-against-inter-miami-cf|title=Match report: Orlando City SC plays to scoreless draw against Inter Miami CF|date=May 15, 2024|work=Orlando City SC}} On 15 August, Tsukada signed a contract with the first team through 2025, with club options in 2026 and 2027.{{cite web |title=Orlando City SC signs forward Yutaro Tsukada to first team deal|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-signs-forward-yutaro-tsukada-to-first-team-deal |website=Orlando City SC|date=August 20, 2024}}

On 8 February 2025, during a pre-season friendly against CF Montréal, Tsukada suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. On 25 February, it was announced by the club that Tsukada had undergone a successful surgery to reconstruct the ligament and that he was placed onto the season ending injury list.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2025 |title=Orlando City SC forward Yutaro Tsukada undergoes successful surgery |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/orlando-city-sc-forward-yutaro-tsukada-undergoes-successful-surgery |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Orlando City}}{{Cite web |title=ORL 1–2 CFM |url=https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/8OCBofcU/#/match-summary/match-summary |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Flashscore}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Playoffs !colspan="2"\|National cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
Division !Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New Mexico United U23 \|2022{{cite web\|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/55573655\|title=Yutaro Tsukada 2022 USL2 Stats\|work=USL League Two}} \|USL League Two \|4	3	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	4	3
Orlando City B \|2024 \|MLS Next Pro \|22	7	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|–	23	7
Orlando City (loan) \|2024 \| rowspan="3" \|Major League Soccer \|1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	1{{efn\|name=LC\|Appearances in Leagues Cup}}	0	2	0
rowspan="3" \|Orlando City \|2024 \|2 \|0 \|0 \|0 \| colspan="2" \|– \| colspan="2" \|– \|2 \|0
2025 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0
colspan="2" \|Total !3 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0
colspan="3" \|Career total !29	10	1	0	0	0	1	0	31	10