About Gale
Gale Agbossoumonde is the owner and head coach for Upstate Elite Soccer Academy (UESA), the Syracuse metro region’s elite year-round soccer club that offers the highest levels of training and competition. Gale’s exceptional and storied professional career means he has the unique knowledge, skills and technique needed to transform players into top athletes. His professional background paired with his high standards and focused attention has earned him the dedication and respect of his players.
Agbossoumonde was born in Togo, but his family fled to Benin when he was an infant. At the age of eight, his family moved to Syracuse, New York with the help of a church charity. He attended Christian Brothers Academy until 9th grade, leading them to a NYS Soccer Championship runner-up finish.
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After a semester with the U17 national team, Agbossoumonde was invited to join U.S. Soccer Development Academy club IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He emerged as a force at center-back, earning high praise for his soccer IQ and his physicality.
In 2009, Agbossoumonde was signed to a three and a half year contract with Traffic Sports Marketing and Miami FC. His professional debut shortly followed, and he made six appearances during the 2009 USL season. He then moved to Sporting Braga of the Portuguese Liga on a six-month loan.
Agbossoumonde was a member of the United States U-20 team and participated in the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago, helping the U.S. to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. In the tournament in Egypt, although only 17 at the time, he started all games for the Americans.
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Agbossoumonde received his first senior national team cap in 2010, against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup.
In early 2011, Agbossoumonde was sent on loan to Allsvenskan team Djurgårdens IF. During his first match he went the full 90 minutes and received "Man of the Match" honors. Later that year, he was loaned to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
In early 2012, Traffic Sports announced that Agbossoumonde was going on loan to Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League. Later that year, he joined Toronto FC and made his debut for Toronto against FC Dallas.
In 2014, Agbossoumonde ended his professional career having also played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
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In 2020, Agbossoumonde launched the next chapter in his illustrious career: building tomorrow's talent today. He returned to his hometown of Syracuse and founded Upstate Elite Soccer Academy, where he coaches today.