Nick Fernandez Secures Multi-Year Contract with San Jose Earthquakes

In a significant move for the San Jose Earthquakes, midfielder Nick Fernandez has signed a multi-year contract with the team, marking a new chapter in his professional career. Fernandez, a Portland Pilots standout, expressed his gratitude for those who supported him on his journey to MLS.

“First of all, I want to thank coach Nick Carlin-Voigt for bringing me to Portland and always believing in me and pushing me to be a better player and a better person. I also want to thank all the support staff and administrative staff who were a part of this journey. Lastly, none of this would be possible without my great teammates throughout the years. I enjoyed every second of the journey, and UP will always have a special place in my heart.”

Fernandez’s Rise to the MLS

Fernandez made his mark on the MLS in December when the San Jose Earthquakes selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. During his tenure with the Portland Pilots, the powerhouse midfielder showcased his technical skills and tactical intelligence, scoring a career-high four goals and adding four assists. His efforts earned him All-WCC First Team and All-West Region Second Team honors in 2023.

Throughout his college career, Fernandez played in 60 matches with 52 starts, contributing eight goals and 19 assists. He stands out as the first Pilot since 2018 to make the All-WCC First Team three times for their career and the first to make the All-West Region team three times since 2019. His dedication and skill were recognized with the WCC Midfielder of the Year award in 2023, and he was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American, landing on the third team.

Head Coach Nick Carlin-Voigt’s Impact

The success of Fernandez is a testament to the development infrastructure under head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. Since taking over in 2016, Carlin-Voigt has fostered an environment that has nurtured 12 Portland Pilots to transition into professional soccer.Eight players have been drafted into MLS, including Paul Christensen, Rey Ortiz, Kevin Bonilla, Jacob Babalai, and Buba Fofanah, who were all selected in the MLS SuperDraft prior to Fernandez’s signing. Efetobo Aror followed in 2023, selected as the tenth overall pick in the SuperDraft.

Moreover, Benji Michel and Kris Reaves each signed with Orlando SC and FC Dallas via homegrown contracts in 2018. Delentz Pierre and Brandon Cambridge joined Real Salt Lake and Charlotte FC in 2022, and Tommy Musto recently signed with LAFC in 2024. This track record underscores the Pilots’ commitment to developing top-tier talent.

Portland Pilots’ Season Highlights

The Portland Pilots had an impressive season in 2023, finishing with a 7-4-7 overall record and a perfect 4-0-4 in WCC play. They extended their unbeaten streak to ten games, the longest on the West Coast and the third longest nationally. Notably, they secured four victories against teams that ranked in the top 35 in the RPI, showcasing their competitiveness against elite opponents.

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