Shortly after he signed a professional contract with the Seattle Sounders in 2013, DeAndre Yedlin had tattoos put on his calves that joined to read, “Always Remember the Beginning.”

It was a reminder to Yedlin that regardless of where his career was headed — and it appeared to be headed toward stardom — he came from humble beginnings. Yedlin was raised by his grandparents after his teenage mother was unable to handle the responsibilities of being a parent. He grew up not knowing his father.

“I was raised to always be humble,” said Yedlin, who was raised in Seattle.

Yedlin’s humility is being tested during the wave of publicity he is receiving after his encouraging performance in the United States’ 2-1 extra-time loss to Belgium on Tuesday in the World Cup’s Round of 16.

Yedlin, 20, helped keep the seemingly overmatched Americans in the game from his right fullback position after entering the game in the 32nd minute for the injured Fabian Johnson. With his speed, Yedlin slipped past Belgian defenders and ignited the United States’ counterattack. Defensively, he played the highly regarded Chelsea forward Eden Hazard to a stalemate. In addition, against Portugal in the group stage, he helped set up a goal by Clint Dempsey.