Barca Academy vs FC Dallas 2022: A Defining Chapter in My Journey to the Pros

In the past few entries, I have written about being a professional athlete and the components of that lifestyle. This time, I want to switch things up and reflect on a defining moment in my journey—the game that helped me sign my first professional contract in the summer of 2022 and everything that was going on in my life at that time. You’ve heard about my time playing in the USL Championship with El Paso Locomotive FC and Monterey Bay Union over the past three years, but what did things look like before I was able to call myself a professional? 

Before I analyze the playoff game against FC Dallas (watch here), I want to give you guys a glimpse of the playoffs the year prior and what was happening in my life before that breakout moment. The MLS Next Playoffs are where college coaches and pro scouts gather to find new talent, making it one of the best platforms for young players. My U19 Barca team entered as either the No. 1 or 2 seed in the country for the 2020–21 season, so we went in confident. Maybe too confident. One issue for us was that we were constantly told we had the most talent in the nation, which might have been true if we also had the grit and edge to prove it.

I was a big culprit in this. I worked hard leading up to the 2021 playoffs, but my effort lacked the hunger and obsession that prepares you for every scenario and my performances paid the price. After the tournament, I received no professional offers and had to take a gap year because seniors at the University of Portland (where I committed in 2020) were granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. That summer hit me hard. I felt like I had let myself down and was full of regret. Spending an extra year at the academy made me second-guess where my career was heading compared to others my age.

But this circumstance created an opportunity. Another year at Barca gave me the chance to prove to myself that with the right preparation, I could show up in big games and become the player I believed I was.

My gap year at Barca Academy consisted of online college, individual training in the mornings, team lifting, and then team training at night. Then I would repeat it all again the next day. I was the happiest yet most frustrated person at the same time. I felt like my career was on hold, yet I knew I was improving so much as a player because of the work I was putting in. If a professional contract came, I was ready to fly out in under an hour. Seriously. I never unpacked my suitcase during that entire year. I thought that if a call came from a pro team then I should be ready to go, no problems.

It wasn’t that I disliked my academy. The opposite, actually. Staying that extra year allowed me to leave a legacy and lead by example. I was the oldest player, the captain of the oldest team, which gave me the chance to influence others. When you’re a young athlete, you look up to the older players and mirror their every move. At 19, with kids as young as 12 or 13 watching me, it was my responsibility to set the standard for what it meant to be part of the Barca Residency Academy.

In May 2022, about a month before playoffs, I had a Zoom call with the University of Portland about the fall season. Shockingly, they told me I would have to redshirt my freshman year which meant that I wouldn’t be able to play in any games. After already taking a gap year, this would have been two straight years in limbo. I decided to decommit and search for a new path forward.

Thinking back, I have no idea how I was so calm, assured, and prepared to deal with this situation. I had a month left of my academy season and no place to continue my career. Yet, I still had so much belief in the work that I put in the whole year and I just knew that something would fall my way. That last month, I was on the phone with college coaches every day and I was dealing with agents being dishonest with me about potential opportunities with pro teams. But I LOVED the chaos, and the potential that came along with that excited me. Thankfully, a few days before playoffs, I was close to committing to Cal State Fullerton. They just needed to see me play in person. Along with chasing a pro contract, this gave me even more reason to perform well.

I went through my journal entries from this time in my life to get a grasp on what I was feeling during this time. There was definitely stress regarding the future but most of what I felt was an obsession to train and a feeling of “pre-nostalgia” about leaving the academy. In my entries, I kept writing phrases like “end of an era,” “last time doing this,” “really going to miss the community.” After four years at Barca, it really felt like everything was coming to a head.

Alright, I know I have been going crazy on the keyboard so lets analyze this playoff game vs FC Dallas. If you liked hearing more about my experience as a youth player, you can read more here. 

Leading up to playoffs, I had been playing at left center back (yeah I know, that’s wild). We didn’t have many defenders, so I had to fill in there. Due to an injury to one of my close friends and crazy-talented defender, Ulysses, we had to shuffle the lineup and I ended up back at right back. It was really unfortunate for my mate, but it allowed me to play in a more natural position. Sometimes you need just a stroke of luck, and man, mine came at just the right moment.

The start of the game was a fast one. Right off the bat, I was trying to put my stamp on the game. In the first couple of minutes, I was able to get a shot off with my left foot, but I blasted it over the bar (the boys always gave me stick for how many shots I take but shooters shoot). My touches shortly after that consisted of me playing a line-breaking pass straight to my number 9’s feet and also driving forward to whip a cross into the box. Even though not everything came off, it felt like there was a sense of ease and confidence in my play.

We conceded a goal off a counter attack three minutes in. Nighte Pickering made a run off the shoulder of our center back and scored after cutting it onto his left foot. He signed for Memphis 901 around the same time I signed for El Paso, and he currently plays for Las Vegas Lights FC. We gained respect for each other as opponents that day and have maintained a connection ever since.

Bryce Jamison, Luca Sowinski, and Moises Mondragon were all having very solid games. Bryce, now a winger at Orange County SC, was playing up three years for this playoff game and was a constant threat. Luca played a crucial role in the midfield, conducting play and connecting the front and back lines.

Moises was the best ball-playing center back I had ever played with at the academy (still don’t know how he got away with wearing #10 as a center back though). We had both been at the academy for four years, and he was one of my closest friends there. It was a pleasure sharing the field with him one last time before he decided to pursue a different career path.

The team responded well after going behind early, and we dominated possession for the most part afterwards. I think I found the balance between trying to make an impact on the game and not forcing actions. Throughout the match, I let my instincts take control. I wasn’t thinking about anything besides the task at hand, “move here,” “force him that way,” “communicate to my winger,” etc. This was a completely different experience from 2021, when I was all over the place. Back then, I was worried about impressing scouts and stressing over mistakes. 

After 20 minutes we were able to equalize! The play started with me driving at the left back to do a 1v1 action and then I slipped a ball through to Luca in the box. He then tried to dribble through a few defenders, the ball got kicked away towards the top of the box and then Bryce smacked the ball low into the net. In the 26th minute, I got absolutely sauced by Tarik Scott, who’s now my teammate at Monterey Bay FC. Don’t even know what hit me, but he skipped by me with some nasty skill.

You know what I also loved about this game? I was on set pieces. I really feel like I was able to showcase my crossing ability, both in 1v1s and on the dead ball. Having Ged Quinn, Barca Academy Director, as my coach for four years helped me earn his trust, and he gave me more responsibility over time. He also encouraged me to fly forward and get into dangerous positions which allowed me to show my attacking qualities. It also made the game so much more fun. Watching this match back, it’s clear we trained in an environment that emphasized possession but also self-expression. Every player on this team was technically gifted, and it showed in our collective performance.

Closing out the first half in extra time, we should’ve scored after Luca zipped a ball across the six, but we missed the tap-in. Overall, though, it was a statement first half. We kept the majority of possession in the heat and humidity and created plenty of dangerous chances.

To start the second half, we had a 1v1 on goal after a long diagonal pass from Moises to Samuel “Chikis” Mendoza, but we couldn’t finish it thanks to a good save. Chikis had a very bright game driving with the ball, drawing fouls, and constantly creating danger.

Kevin Meza and Joey Valesquez both had very good performances in the midfield. They won battles and controlled possession throughout the match. Both now play Division 1 soccer at UC Riverside and Cal State Bakersfield. I also have to give a lot of credit to Phillie Villapuda, my right center back. He’s a natural midfielder, but he put in quite a shift at CB toward the end of the season. Phillie was very composed on the ball and made me feel comfortable going forward because I knew he’d cover for me.

A quarter into the second half, we created several good chances. Luca forced a tough save from the keeper after a shot inside the box. I also had another chance after dribbling inside and curling a shot with my left foot, only to be unlucky and hit the post. I practiced that exact shot a lot during my gap year, so it was rewarding to see it come off on a big stage. And yeah… put some respect on my left foot.

Toward the end of the second half, Joe Buckley (a talented defender playing two years up) drove through the left side and slipped Luca in for a dangerous chance. I also had some fun battles with Nighte close to the sideline. I even let out a scream after I blocked his attempts towards goal just to hype everyone up. Looking back, I think my defensive recoveries could have been sharper. The overall intensity to sprint back into position despite fatigue and the humidity is something I had to improve quickly as a pro. Conditioning is what made the difference and once I figured that out, I was able to fly around the field for 90 minutes.

Austin Valdez, man, you saved us. Our backline got split by a through ball late in the game, and FC Dallas’ Tarik Scott was 1v1 with our keeper. Thankfully, Austin came up HUGE with a massive save and then blocked the rebound too. Shortly after, Luca smacked a shot off the post from the top of the box. This game had countless chances from both sides, it was a joy to play in and rewatch. It was only fitting that we went into penalties.

I felt really confident heading into my penalty kick. I had practiced it earlier in the week and I knew that I had to be one of the first kicks. I just had to. I wanted to help set the tone for the team and I wanted to be in a position where I could help us advance to the next game.

When I was walking towards the goal for Barca’s second penalty kick, the FC Dallas player who took his kick before me tried getting into my head by saying “the goal looks hella small today, watch out.” And the FC Dallas keeper also tried unsettling my nerve with some comments. The thing is, that simply was not enough. Nothing was going to stop me and I knew it. I slotted the ball in the bottom left corner like I practiced and let the keeper know what I thought about his antics. Talking trash is part of the sport, and you know what? I rate it. 

We ended up losing the game 6-5 in penalties. Both teams fought hard and with class, showing each other respect after the game. It was a hard way to lose, but I was so proud of how rose to the occasion as a team. On a positive note, I was really happy with my performance because it was such an improvement from the playoffs in 2021. The work I put in mentally, physically, and technically, helped me showcase my ability on the field but also my qualities as a leader.

University of Fullerton staff were at the game and were impressed with my performance. I committed within hours of the match. I felt relieved and excited to have a place to continue my career, but my heart was still set on going pro. Then, just two days after playoffs ended, I got the chance to train with El Paso Locomotive and earned my first professional contract shortly after.

That period was full of unknowns, excitement, and new challenges but what really marked it was leaving the academy. I spent four years of my life with those players and coaches, and I knew I’d never experience something quite like it again. Barca was crucial in my development as a professional, but when I look back, what I remember most are the relationships and brotherhood we built. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We Move,