A two-time CCC Men’s Soccer Player of the Year, Concordia University graduate Facundo Dipascuale has continued his athletic career as a member of the Seattle Sounders FC U-23 team of the Premier Development League (PDL). Dipascuale, a second-team NAIA All-American pick as a senior, made a quick first impression with the club by recording a hat trick in the team’s exhibition match against Gonzaga. Dipsacuale has gone on to log several starts while playing in nine of the team’s first 10 matches.

 

Dipascuale will be making a return home of sorts as the Sounders (5-2-3) will take on the Portland Timbers U-23 (6-2-1) team on June 22 in a match to be played at the Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, Wash. Opening kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

 

The transition has had its ups and downs. At Concordia, I learned to be a good professional which has helped me in the transition into playing for a team with an MLS partner like the Seattle Sounders. Everything that the team does is professional and Coach Birkey always talked about being a good professional throughout my four years. 

 

 

I think that the highlight of the summer is just seeing how professional everything is. I love our staff and the team. From the owners and coaches, to the photographer, trainer and head of security, all of them have been great. I've made some great friendships and relationships, and gained a lot of respect for the way the Seattle Sounders do things.

 

 

The PDL has a tremendous amount of talent, and most of the kids that play in it are looking to become professional soccer players. It also helps that the team is filled with talented players and we have been doing well in our league. It’s also been fun to have Evan Denmark (former Concordia teammate and captain) training with the team as we get to continue our playing career together. 

 

Everyone that knows me knows the love I have for my family, so coming to Portland is exciting. I am only two-and-a-half hours away from home but it gets hard to make a trip down. It is nice that I can play in front of my family and friends and then have the weekend to spend time with them. 

 

 

As for my goals as a post-collegiate athlete I would love the opportunity to play professionally for a couple of years. It has been a dream of mine since I was three years old. Either way, I will be around the sport in one way or another. I would like to start giving back to the game by working full time for a soccer club and coaching. 

 

 

Sounders FC U-23, formerly the Tacoma Tide, partnered with the Sounders FC to serve as a development platform for the Sounders FC first team. They compete in United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League, the top U-23 men’s league in North America and features 64 teams across the United States and Canada.