Trendsetter
My name is Joshua Bolma. I was born in Accra, Ghana, but my roots are in the northern region, where my parents come from. I grew up in Nima, a tough neighborhood. One of those places where surviving itself is an achievement. But for a lot of us, soccer and school were the way out. If you were lucky enough to get into an academy and take your education seriously, doors started to open. That’s what happened for me.
I started playing when I was around five. School was a huge part of my life, but soccer was what lit the fire in me. I’m the fourth of six kids. Three girls, three boys and all of us played soccer except the youngest. One of my brothers even plays professionally in Sweden now. So yeah, I guess you could say we’re a football family.
Falling in Love with the Game
I’ve always loved the game. Growing up, we’d play everywhere. In the streets, at school, inside the house (which got us into plenty of trouble). We were those annoying kids people would chase around, but those playful moments eventually turned into something real.
My older brother played competitively, and one day, his coach saw me messing around and told me to come train. That’s how I got introduced to organized soccer. He brought me my first pair of cleats. That moment? That was the turning point.
If My Life Were a Netflix Series…
If there was a documentary on my life, I think Episode 1 would be called “Trendsetter.” Everywhere I’ve been like my local team, academy, high school, college—I’ve noticed that people tend to gravitate toward my style, my energy, the way I approach things. I’ve learned a lot from others, but I’ve also seen people try to take bits of what I bring and make it their own. That’s something I’m proud of.
The Journey: From Ghana to MLS
Every stage of my journey has shaped me. My academy back home prepared me for South Kent. South Kent set me up for Maryland. Maryland showed me the next level and gave me a different view of what it takes to keep growing.
I can't point to one phase as more important than the others. Each stop along the way helped me adapt, evolve, and get ready for the next challenge. Every environment added something to my game, to my mentality, and to the way I carry myself.
Welcome to the League
Walking into an MLS locker room, I expected it to feel… different. Like, this is the big leagues. Everyone has their own routine, their own focus. In college, you’re surrounded by guys your age. But in the league, some of these players could be your uncles!
What surprised me was how welcoming everyone was. It wasn’t like a “prove yourself or sit down” vibe. There was respect, but also a real effort to make you feel comfortable. It felt like a job—like we’re all here to get better and win. That environment helped me settle in way faster than I thought I would.
Keeping the Joy Alive
Even though it’s a business now, I still find ways to keep the joy. On the field, I love expressing myself whether it’s through a goal celebration or just vibing with teammates.
Off the field? I’m usually the guy yelling lyrics in the locker room, dancing like no one’s watching even though everyone is. I’m not the best singer, but that’s part of the fun. It’s those little things like goofing off, cooking up new celebrations with my teammates that remind me why I started playing in the first place.
My Ultimate 5-A-Side
I would put myself as coach and I'm going with:
In goal? Djordje Petrovic.
In the back? Osman Illal, who played with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Championship.
In midfield, I’m going with Ben Bender and Shakur Mohammed.
And up top? Jason Russell-Rowe
To My 17-Year-Old Self
If I could go back and tell my 17-year-old self something, it wouldn’t even be about soccer. I’d say: stay connected to your people.
When you start chasing this dream, it’s easy to lose touch with your roots—especially when you’re far from home. I wish I had made more of an effort to stay close with my family, even if it was just through calls or texts. Now, I only really get to reconnect when we have long breaks. I’ve learned how valuable those moments are. Don’t wait to realize it too late.
What Success Looks Like Now
Success for me isn’t just trophies or contracts. It’s being a role model. Knowing that kids back home or anywhere really can look at my story and feel like it’s possible for them too.
I don’t need them to be me. I just want to live in a way that shows people what’s possible. I want to lead with my faith, because that’s what’s gotten me here. God’s hand has been over my journey the whole way. And if people know me for that, if that’s what they take from my story, that’s the success I’m chasing.
