PORTLAND, Ore. --- Nick Fernandez, who has extensive youth national team experience with U.S. Soccer, has committed to the University of Portland men's soccer program and will join the Pilots as a freshman, announced head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. Fernandez is the 63rd-ranked recruit in the country.
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"Nick comes to us from the Barca Academy where he was a leader and captain of one of the best academy teams in the country," Carlin-Voigt said. "On the field, Nick can help control games and tempo with his passing, decision making, and competitive grit. Off the field, Nick will represent the program well as he's a mature young man. Nick is a no-nonsense central midfielder who is equally committed to both sides of the ball. He reminds me of previous Pilots like Matt Coffey and Colby Trah in his approach and the way he handles his business. Nick comes from a strong soccer family and we are excited to get a Midwestern player out of talent rich Chicago to the Pacific Northwest."
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Originally from Downer's Grove, Illinois, Fernandez spent the past three years in Arizona, starring for he Barca Residency Academy. With Barca, Fernandez won the 2018-19 division title.
"Nick is a tremendous young man and an incredibly talented player," said Ged Quinn, the Barca Academy Director. "He was a leader on and off the field in our program and an example for the next generation of Barca Academy players to come. We will miss him and wish him the best in Portland!"
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Fernandez has played for the U.S U-14, U-15, and U-16 National Teams.
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Prior to Barca, Fernandez was with the Chicago Fire Academy and Pre-Academy. They won the State Cup Championship in 2013 and 2014.
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