Robert Acosta has a message: never give up on a dream and always work hard.

Always. And if people say you can’t do it, prove them wrong.

Acosta is living a dream – and he thanks the Tucson Soccer Academy and a host of coaches who have brought him to this point in this life.

He’s now on the roster of the Norfolk (Va.) SharX of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

            “It has been a very long and arduous journey, beginning with my foundation with TSA in 1987,’’ said Acosta in an email. “ Without the groundwork laid out by my coaches throughout my years with the academy, I would not be where I am today.  As I think about my coaches throughout my tenure (Charlie Kendrick, Charlie McCabe, David Cosgrove, Wolfgang Weber and their assistants), I can attribute one of more aspects of my play to each one.  The opportunity to grow and develop as a player under an array of different coaching styles added to my arsenal of knowledge, ability, skills, technique, etc. It has prepared me for the next level.’’

            Here’s a quick look back at his journey.

            After playing for TSA, he attended Wartburg College, a small Div. III school in Waverly, IA., where he was part of two Sweet 16 teams and four NCAA tournament appearances. He was a four-year starter and an IIAC all-conference selection in 2008.

            It wasn’t always easy, Acosta said, but he was getting good advice from his mom from home: “good thing TSA prepared you for this".

And, he said, she was right.

Because after college (he graduated in 2009), it didn’t get any easier. He had no connections to play at the next level, although he tried to latch on seemingly everywhere (at least eight states and teams just to name a few).

“I was turned down, mostly because I ‘didn’t have enough experience at the next level,’’’ he said, quoting others.

But he moved to Virginia in 2010 and made some connections and friends. Soon after, he was playing for the Virginia Legacy. Unfortunately, the team lasted just one season. He then played for the Virginia Beach Piranhas. From there, he tried out for the SharX.

“I hoped this would be my chance to get into the league,’’ he said.

It – again – wasn’t easy. There were two rounds of tryouts, and he didn’t get through the first one. “(But) I made some adjustments in my training regimen, and hit it even harder to prepare for the second round,’’ he said.

He made enough of an impression – although he still didn’t make the team – that the owner invited him to preseason camp. He made the final roster – plus three. He’s now one of the three and was recently activated. He spent some time doing the team’s play-by-play announcing for television broadcasts.

“Since November I have attended every session, and have put in 15 to 20 hours a week in the gym on my own ... and I got my payoff on Feb 3, 2012,’’ he said. “The head coach contacted me and told me that he liked what he had been seeing lately, and wanted to offer me a spot for the remainder of the season, with option to renew the contract depending on my performance.  I signed that day, and look forward to making my mark in the remainder of the season.’’

As they are.

“I was happy that he made the active roster,’’ said Carol Senechal, the team’s communication’s director. “ He certainly has been a huge asset to the club all season!’’