By Ryan Makuch
AFC Ann Arbor is excited to announce the signing of Daisuke Otsuka ahead of the 2022 USL League Two season. Otsuka becomes the second Japanese player to be incorporated in the 2022 men’s iteration of the side, joining fellow countryman Shion Soga.
Otsuka is coming off a fifth-year senior campaign at Western Illinois in the Fall 2021 athletic season. Otsuka played a vital role in the campaign for the Leathernecks, playing in all 16 games for his side, starting 15 of them, and playing a total of 1,329 minutes, second-most on his team.
Following a brief stint at Tyler Junior College, where he excelled, making 43 appearances and logging ten goals, he would make the jump to Western Illinois, where he remained consistent. Otsuka, after three seasons at WIU, finished with 44 appearances, 39 starts, five goals, a pair of assists, and a total of 3,394 minutes played.
Otsuka not only has deep collegiate experience but he is experienced at the club level both in the U.S. and in Japan. Before coming to the States, Otsuka spent 2014-16 playing with the U18s of Kashima Antlers, who would finish as the runners-up, and forcing Real Madrid to extra time in the final, of the FIFA Club World Cup of 2016 while Otsuka was in the academy.
In the U.S., spliced between his collegiate campaigns, have been high-level experiences at various stops in USL2. Otsuka spent time with the Portland Timbers U23 side and Peachtree City Moba in 2020, before spending 2021 in Michigan with the Flint City Bucks, where he would find himself on the scoring sheet in a 7-0 away victory over Dayton Dutch Lions.
As a player, Otsuka would describe himself as, “A versatile player. My hard work shows on the field. I’m always looking [to score] goals for the team.” A forward-thinking midfielder, Otsuka can play in the midfield or as a line-leading striker. Not only is he versatile and hard-working, but his agility allows him to dominate in small spaces and torment attackers while they’re on the ball.
Eric Rudland had high praise for Otsuka when we spoke with the Club Sporting Director. “Dice was meant to be in our team for the 2021 season, so it’s great that he can now be with us for 2022.” He would continue, talking about his abilities on the pitch, saying, “He is a technician who will add value to our team in possession and the attack. He has a great mentality as well which will fit nicely within our club culture.”
Offering a glimpse into that professional mentality, Otsuka said about why AFCAA for 2022, “I've seen [AFCAA] coaches work with players, and they turn out to have a great season. I’m aiming for that as well.” He would also highlight the off-pitch work of the club, saying, “I love that there is a lot of interaction with fans and the community.”
Otsuka also wants to set high goals for the team, upholding a trademark sense of AFCAA excellence on the field. “I’m hoping to help the team win every game. Also by setting a goal of scoring a goal per game.”
Armed with a strong mentality and skills on the pitch, we welcome Daisuke Otsuka to the AFCAA Family, and we look forward to welcoming him to Ann Arbor in the summer of 2022.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!