![\"Carlos](\"http:\/\/www.sportspaper.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Carlos-Patino.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCARLOS PATINO<\/p>\n
By Julie Diefendorf<\/p>\n
Special to Sports Paper<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Kitsap Pumas added to their roster for their 2015 National Championship bid by signing much sought after wonderkid Colombian midfielder Carlos Patino.<\/p>\n
Patino, who moved from Columbia to the province of Alberta, Canada at the age of ten, is a product of the prestigious Vancouver Whitecaps Academy. He developed a strong interest in the game of soccer from a very early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started playing soccer with my dad when I was about only five years old and from that day on it has remained one of the biggest driving forces in my life\u201d\u00a0said Patino.<\/p>\n
After playing for a local youth club in his hometown of Edmonton, and later being selected to the Alberta Province team, Patino was invited to play for the Whitecaps Development Academy.<\/p>\n
The Whitecaps Development Academy Residency Program has a track record of producing talented young players by providing the perfect conditions to develop and prepare elite athletes for the mental and physical demands at the professional level.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipating in the Whitecaps Academy was a great experience that allowed me the opportunity to develop my game at a crucial time in my life\u201d\u00a0Patino recalled. \u201cThat entire experience really started to expose me to what it would take to be a professional one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following his time with Vancouver, Patino temporarily moved back to Columbia to play for Club Atletico Faustino Asprilla (CAFA), a professional side in the Federacion Colombiana de Futbol.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring my time back in Columbia I learned a lot and it really helped me to mature and get a lot stronger mentally\u201d\u00a0Patino said.\u00a0\u201cThe whole experience gave me a completely different perspective on what I need to do to be successful at the professional level.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a year in Columbia, Patino elected to return to his hometown of Edmonton to play with FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League (NASL).<\/p>\n
“Once I had some time to adjust I felt like I was able to compete at that level\u201d\u00a0Patino recalled.\u00a0\u201cGetting that opportunity with high level players really helped to improve my game.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his stint with FC Edmonton, Patino made it clear he seen his next step was joining a professional club in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve dedicated myself completely to pursuing a professional playing career and feel that I have the ability to play at a high level in the United States.\u201d\u00a0Patino said.<\/p>\n
Head coach Cameron MacDonald, who had previously seen Patino play for the Whitecaps Academy was alerted to the youngster\u2019s availability in February and had no hesitation in starting negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reached out to Carlos early in the New Year and brought him down to our invitational tryouts to see the area and meet the coaching staff,\u2019 MacDonald said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great kid and phenomenal player. For someone so young he already has a lot of experience and is the type of player who can win you a game on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Patino has already played in numerous countries around the world, he remains excited for this next step with the Pumas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I came to meet the staff everyone from the backroom team to the coaches to the fans were amazing and I cannot wait to work with them and show them what I can do.\u201d Patino said. “Cammy has a lot of faith in me and even though I had other options on the table, I feel I\u2019ll stand the best chance of developing playing for him. I am so excited to help this team be successful this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
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