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Rookie Santiago Patiño Makes an Impact in Professional Debut

patino story

Three months ago, Orlando native and Orlando City academy product Santiago PatiƱoā€™s MLS destination was a mystery. Days before the 2019 MLS SuperDraft his hometown club had been fighting to sign him as a homegrown player. Now, the Freedom High School graduate was available for selection to every MLS team.


Just three selections into the draft PatiƱoā€™s short wait was over. Orlando had protected one of their own.


ā€œWe need to make sure those guys stay. That they are proud to be Orlando homegrowns and they want to play for the team,ā€ said EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi following the pick. ā€œItā€™s a lot of work ahead because we donā€™t have a lot of homegrowns in the team, so we canā€™t let one of ours go, that for sure.ā€


On Saturday, PatiƱo made his professional debut, coming off the bench in the seventy-fourth minute. Just sixteen minutes after taking the pitch, PatiƱo sprinted through the Montreal midfield, gathered a pass in stride from Chris Mueller, held off a defender, and then played in Dom Dwyer for an easy finish.



ā€œ[On Friday] I knew I was going to be in the eighteen,ā€ said PatiƱo following the match. ā€œI knew if I had my chance I was going to give everything I had.ā€


PatiƱo made the first tally on his scoresheet in front of countless friends and family in attendance. He didnā€™t make them wait long. His assist was the quickest for a rookie in Orlando City history.


ā€œI got my chance. I think since minute one I have given everything I had to the team. We just have to keep moving forward.ā€