Luca Costabile: International Superstar

Maryland men’s soccer will honor its international student-athletes on Friday as the Terps take on Northwestern. The Terps are off to their hottest start since 2017 and a bulk of their production has come from their international Terps. 

This season, 13 of the 30 men on the roster are international students who have traveled great distances to play for Sasho Cirovski in College Park.

One particular defender, Luca Costabile, is celebrating his senior season as he caps off a lustrous collegiate career. 

“We’re doing something right,” he said of the Terps’ 5-0-2 start. “We have a great back line. It’s come from a solid defensive structure. We’ve got some individual players up top that can finish a job for us. We seem to have the working formula.”

Success has followed Costabile everywhere he’s been. He grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was quickly named to the FC Helsingor's U-19 team, giving him a taste of international play and Danish pride.

From there, Costabile moved to Italy to play for AC Crema of Italy's Serie D. He made 23 appearances during his tenure, but made the decision not to renew his contract and to look for future opportunities elsewhere. 

“People are hard on you,” Costabile said of European competition. “It’s a rough environment to be in as a young kid from a different country.’”

He saw an opportunity to gain both collegiate experience and a college degree. He turned his focus to NCAA play across the Atlantic Ocean. 

“I had a lot of friends in the United States playing at different colleges,” he said. “I thought I might as well see what options I have, what schools would be interested and what scholarships I could earn. I think I was only in the market for one or two days before Sasho talked to my agency and said he really wanted me.”

Two phone calls with Maryland’s head coach later, Costabile was a Terp.

He made an instant impact on his new team, logging 1,571 minutes across 20 matches and earning a 2022 Big Ten All-Freshman Team accolade. He logged his first-career assist in a win over Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament. 

“When I came here, my English wasn’t very good,” Costabile said. “I was a little more shy than I am now. I got out of my comfort zone during my time here. It’s shaped me as a human being. I got to know so many people and build so many strong relationships off the field. I feel like I’m more of a man now than I was when I came.”

The impact he’d make on Maryland soccer was clear from the beginning, but still hadn’t reached his peak performance yet. 

“Luca has matured every single year,” Cirovski said. “He has a great personality, both on and off the field. He has a big influence on the field. Every year he’s gotten better. On the defensive side of things, he’s become a lot more responsible.”

The Terps have made the NCAA Tournament twice in Costabile’s tenure in College Park, winning a match in each appearance. Despite being a defenseman, he’s tallied three goals and eight assists. 

His scoring seems to come in the most important moments. His two goals in 2024 came against No. 1 Ohio State and in an NCAA Tournament win over Long Island.

He’s built lifelong relationships with his teammates, many of whom he can relate to, coming from overseas. 

“We’re from many different countries and even continents,” Costabile said. “It’s something we have in common that we’re all away from our families. We’re all here trying to pursue our dreams here in the United States, and we can bond over that. It’s good for building chemistry on our team.”

Now, he’s a fan favorite, receiving ovations when his name is called during lineup announcements. He’s found familiarity, safety and joy in College Park. He traveled over 4,350 miles to find home. 

“For me, Maryland is everything,” Costabile said. “I love Maryland. I feel home here. I feel more at home in Maryland than I do in Copenhagen. I just love it.”

He’s been a staple of the Terps lineup, playing in every match in each season of his career. He’s a safety blanket in the defense and someone Cirovski’s enjoyed watching grow. 

“He’s just a person that embodies Maryland soccer,” Cirovski said. “He loves to attack. He cares about defending. I’m really proud of how much he’s grown over his four years.” 

Costabile will undoubtedly receive another roaring ovation when his name is called on Friday as Maryland honors him and his international teammates. He’s made a lasting impact on Terrapin soccer. They’re off to their best start during his time here, but he’s ready to take them to new heights in his senior season.