Player Spotlight: Kyah Le

IDA Alumna Kyah Le Shares Advice for Prospective IDA Students

Meet Kyah Le, the IDA player who recently started to compete for Res Roma. The attacking midfielder regularly made headlines in her hometown of Spokane, Washington, but Kyah always wanted more for herself. She knew that her raw talent and her relentless commitment to the grind would pay off in dividends as she pursued her childhood dream of competing in a World Cup. Upon graduating from Gonzaga Preparatory High School in the spring of 2021, she decided to make the ultimate commitment to her dream and enroll in the International Development Academy in Rome, in partnership with Soccer Management Institute.

“I chose IDA because I wanted to go to a place where I could train and play in a competitive environment with other athletes who shared a similar passion for the game,” she stated. While NCAA college programs were certainly an option, Kyah knew that going abroad was the best track for her to make strides towards her World Cup dreams. 

Competing overseas isn’t new for Kyah, as she and her sister Chelsea spent one summer practicing with the Vietnam Football Federation’s U-19 squad. Kyah says that even with a few months of international training under her belt, IDA and SMI have still been able to expose her to challenges and opportunities to improve. 

“On the field, this experience is helping me me grow as a player by opening my eyes to the style of the game here in Rome,” Kyah stated. “Since their style is so unique, I have to adjust and improve on the parts of my game that differ from the States.” Kyah’s game has been described as free, creative, and active, by the coaching staff, and one of her greatest strengths is her coach-ability and drive to improve.

Off the field, Kyah credits IDA and SMI for making her grow as a person. “This program made me step out of my comfort zone by being so far away from home and playing with teammates who don’t speak the same language. It forced me to adapt and do the best with every opportunity that I am given.” Kyah noted that the decision to leave home to pursue any opportunity can definitely seem daunting, but she’s incredibly thankful for all of the guidance that the staff provided to her and her family along the way.

When asked if she had any tips for student athletes who were considering the IDA as the next step in their career, Kyah stated “At the end of the day, the work, the effort, the grind, the heart, and the desire for success has to come from you. If it is something that you truly desire, then IDA is the place that is solely focused on your development.” 

Kyah now competes for Res Roma, a third division team in Italy. They dominated their season opener with an 8-0 win, where Kyah netted the first goal of the game. When she’s not competing with Res Roma, she gets extra reps by training with Rome City SC where she is exposed to players who played DI, DII, DIII and NAIA soccer. Kyah’s work ethic, dedication to the game, and commitment to her craft are the character traits that have continued to make her stand out from the crowd as she chases her World Cup dreams. 

Are you ready to take the next step towards your goals? Start your journey with IDA today!