David Testo
A determined midfielder whose post-career courage in coming out as gay paved a vital path for LGBTQ+ athletes in American professional soccer.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American soccer player·Birthday: August 7·Millennials
Biography
David Testo's story is one of two halves: a journeyman's career on the pitch, and a trailblazer's impact off it. A hard-working midfielder, he carved out a solid professional path after college, playing for clubs in the USL and MLS, most notably with the Montreal Impact where he was a consistent starter. His playing days, however, were shadowed by the personal strain of concealing his sexuality. In 2011, shortly after being released by Montreal, Testo made the decision to publicly come out, becoming the first male American professional soccer player in the modern era to do so. His honest, vulnerable interview changed the conversation, offering visibility and hope to countless closeted athletes. While his on-field achievements were modest, his legacy is profound, challenging the culture of men's team sports and advocating for a more inclusive future.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first male American professional soccer player to come out as gay while the sport was his primary career, in a 2011 interview.
- Played over 100 matches in the USL First Division, primarily for the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact.
- Won the USL First Division championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2006.
- Appeared in 18 MLS matches for the Columbus Crew in 2004 and 2005.
Did You Know?
He played college soccer for both the University of South Carolina and the University of North Carolina.
His coming-out interview was conducted with the newspaper The Gazette in Montreal.
After soccer, he worked as a personal trainer and yoga instructor.
He was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
“I played my entire career in a closet; that was the hardest part.”
