In this special episode of The Kickback FC, we sit down with Joseph-Claude Gyau — U.S. international and current Las Vegas Lights FC winger, to talk about his incredible journey through the global game.
From signing with Hoffenheim out of high school to playing under Jürgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, Gyau shares what it takes to grind through injuries, adapt across leagues, and give back through his training platform, Gyau Skills Academy.
We dive into his football roots as a third-generation pro, life after the USMNT, his Chelsea fandom, and the importance of legacy on and off the pitch.
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⏱️ Chapters:
00:40 Intro
1:47 Joe Gyau, Welcome to the KickBack
2:40 How’d you become a fan of Chelsea FC?
4:20 Joe Gyau on his thoughts on the current Chelsea team
6:47 Growing up as a third-generation footballer
12:56 Playing at IMG Academy
16:16 Current landscape of youth soccer in the U.S.
21:47 Going pro out of high school
25:17 Joe Gyau on Charles Rankin
30:26 Getting to Hoffenheim
35:10 Moving to FC St. Pauli
39:01 Signing with Borussia Dortmund
46:17 Playing under Jürgen Klopp
50:56 Learning from Klopp, Tuchel & Klinsmann
53:00 Persevering through injury
56:13 Signing with FC Cincinnati
1:00:00 Differences between MLS and European leagues
1:02:32 How has fatherhood changed you as a professional
1:05:17 Gyau Skills Academy
1:08:00 One thing from your upbringing that’s helped you as a pro
1:12:38 Advice to the youth
1:14:39 Rapid Fire Questions
1:14:42 What’s on your game day playlist?
1:15:33 Hobbies outside of soccer
1:16:22 Joe Gyau’s five-a-side team
1:18:58 Signing with Las Vegas Lights FC
1:20:08 Underrated part of your game?
1:21:27 One game you could relive?
1:23:00 Toughest opponent and team?
1:26:00 Favorite Ghanaian, German & Swedish dish?
1:29:00 Outro
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