My Ghanaian parents urged me to prioritise education first - US international Patrick Agyemang

US Mens National Team (USMNT) forward Patrick Agyemang has credited his Ghanaian heritage and family values for his disciplined rise in professional football, revealing his parents insistence on education as the foundation of his journey.The 24-year-old Charlotte FC striker, now balancing a thriving athletic career with a health sciences degree, emphasized how his upbringing shaped his dual focus on academics and sport.Agyemangs path began at Division III Eastern Connecticut State University before transferring to the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a Division I soccer spot while completing his degree in health promotion.His parents, immigrants from Ghana, instilled a mantra of resilience and long-term planning. Agyemang admitted moments of frustration juggling coursework and training but now views his degree as a safeguard.Ghanaian parents tell you: education first, he told Flashscore. I knew Id get my degree no matter what.It was sometimes hard because I really wanted to just play and not do the work sometimes. But I knew that me having my degree makes things so much better for life after soccer as well.Now a rising MLS star, his success with Charlotte FCmarked by relentless work ethic and tactical versatilityhas earned him USMNT call-ups, blending cultural pride with professional ambition. Read Full Story