PORT ORCHARD, WA—Growing up in Kitsap means growing up with soccer for many local athletes. Some come and go in the sport while others excel over the years, often bonding with the players they play with and against.
Port Orchard FC Head Coach Patrick Leonard is a lifer. He’s gone from player to supporter to head coach and more. His journey gives him a unique view on some of the best players in Kitsap over the last decade plus. Leonard has been on the pitch with all of the guys he has selected for his All-Kitsap Teammate Eleven. “This group of teammates could beat any other era of Kitsap players, hands down!” Pat says.
Pat Has Your Back
“I think I’d describe myself as a teammate you knew had your back,” Leonard says. “I wouldn’t let a late challenge on a teammate go by without being involved. Sometimes that was needed, sometimes it may have just been a response in the moment, but I’d like to think my teammates knew if I was on the field with them I had their back. I’m not sure if that’s involved in the game today quite as much as it used to be, but even as a coach today I love when I see guys look out for their teammates in that way.”
Let’s meet Pat’s All-Kitsap Teammate Eleven. After, we’ll also talk more about Leonard the player.
GK- Jordan Hadden (NKHS) “We played club ball together for a few years. Jordan is still playing to this day, playing professionally overseas as recently as last year. To be honest I don’t know if I would have predicted such a long successful goalkeeping career that would take him into his 30’s, but I’m proud of him and love running into him. Jordan also played for OC and Seattle University.”
RB- Cameron Watson (CKHS) “We played at CKHS together for a couple of years. Cam was the guy I kicked a ball around with after school growing up. We were great friends and never got to play until we reached high school soccer, which is part of what makes that so special. He was and is to this day one of the smartest players I’ve ever played with. I have even convinced him to be an assistant coach at CK in the past! Cam went on to play for OC and WSU’s club team.”
CB- Juan Ramirez (Kingston HS) “We played club together with a few of the names on this list. Juan is somehow the most underrated player on this list. Growing up people always highlighted the goal scorers and chance creators, but Juan was such a consistent player in every way. One of the fastest, strongest, bravest defenders to ever come out of Kitsap. Juan went on to play for Bellevue College.”
CB- Trevor Park (CKHS) “Trevor was the kind of defender you knew would keep you in every game. I wish I would have had the chance to play with him for longer, but he was genuinely one of the best defenders to play in our area. I would have LOVED to see him and Juan partner together. That would have been special.”
LB- Jacob Beck (CKHS) “We played a couple of years at Westsound together (before he eventually went on to play for the Sounders.) Jacob was a player I looked up to at a young age. I knew he was doing everything right in how he worked and prepared as a player. True determination. My one regret was that our paths never crossed to play together at CK. I would have loved to play with him again. He went on to play soccer for PLU.”
CDM- Jordan Kollars (CKHS) “Jordan is one of the few I was able to play with at both club and school. Our time at Westsound together was brief, but it was obvious how talented he was. He also went on to play for the Sounders, playing in a midfield with Jordan Morris. He came back to play for CKHS for a year (his junior year, my senior year) and was the player that made everything click. What I always loved about Kollars’ game was the attention to detail. He always did the details right and always kept it simple. We always had control of a game if Kollars was in the team. He went on to play soccer for SPU.”
CM- Ismael DeLuna (NKHS) “Issy and I played club ball together for a few years. He is another teammate I always admired the game of. Not only that, I would say he was one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Those who played with me know I would lose my head from time to time. I knew Issy always had my back, but I also knew he’d tell me when I needed to calm down. He’s a talented teammate that has gone on to play at the highest levels of indoor soccer, playing for the Tacoma Stars. It’s been cool to see him come back to the Force this past indoor season. I think his return is a HUGE part of their success this year in making the post season. He’s still so sharp in his decision making.”
CM- Sam Gomez (CKHS) “What is there to say? Sam is not only a sensational player, but a great friend. To be honest, we didn’t even play very long together at CKHS, but how could I not include him? I’m biased because we’ve gone on to be great friends and coach together, but his play and his career speak for itself. He played for Cal State Bakersfield, then went on to play professionally, both in the US and in Honduras. I have played with him, coached him, and to this day I don’t know if I’ve seen him misplace a pass. You’ll never meet a harder working player and you’ll never meet a better guy!”
LW- Nick Riders (BHS) “Nick and I played in the same club team as Jordan, Juan, and Ismael. Nick had a fire that would never quit. Genuinely one of the most talented goal scorers we have ever seen in this area. He showed that in his time at Bremerton HS as well as OC. He still is a player and a teammate that brings life to a game. I’m fortunate enough to still work with Nick now as he plays for POFC. I know the club always highlight him scoring the first ever goal for this club, but his performance in our final, starting that second half and brining a much needed spark, is everything I love about the player that Nick is. Always gives his all and fights for every moment, POFC is lucky to have him.”
RW- Diego Aceves-De la cruz (SKHS) “Diego has the greatest left foot Kitsap has ever seen and I will argue anyone on that. He and I played at Westsound together, and have stayed closer friends for about 15 or 16 years now. He won a state title as a freshman at SKHS and even chipped USMNT’s Zack Steffan once (he loves that story.) The story he doesn’t share is that he assisted my greatest ever goal as we played for the Kitsap Pumas Academy when it first started. Diego is an incredible player, but he’s also one of my best friends to this day and I love him for that. Diego went on to play at PLU.”
ST- Miles Nilsen (CKHS) “Miles is the best leader I ever had as a player. Truthfully, he was never a striker in my time playing with him, but hey, I’m making this team. I put him up front because he is the greatest goal scorer I’ve ever played with, hands down. He was the guy, no matter the score, that always gave you a chance. His movement, his communication, his touch, the guy had everything. Miles could play with or against anyone, and he continuously showed that. He went on to play for the Sounders, came back to CKHS his senior year, and then went on to play at Seattle University. Miles was one of the best teammates and leaders I’ve ever played with, to this day I still love playing with him whenever the paths cross for that. He was truly a special player for this Kitsap area.”
The Gaffer As A Kid
“I grew up playing in Florida and moved to Bremerton when I was 13. My mom was my first coach, which is something I still look back on and smile about,” remembers Leonard. “When we moved up here, my parents put me on a Tracyton team to get me involved right away. A Westsound coach at the time named Neil Megson brought me into Westsound after watching me play. After a few years there I went on to play at North Kitsap with quite a few guys in my eleven I’ve put together here. I also played for the Kitsap Pumas when they first implemented a youth academy. For school ball, I spent my freshman and sophomore years at Olympic HS. I transferred to Central Kitsap High School to play at a higher level with friends and teammates I had played with over the years. My senior year (2012) we made it to the state championship game. To this day I think that CK team is one of the better all around teams to ever come out of this area.”
The Gaffer As A Player
Pat looks back at his playing career with honest eyes. “I’d be the first to say as a player I wasn’t the greatest at any one particular thing. I would say I was a well rounded player that could play a number of positions. I’ve played up front, on the wing, and center mid, all pretty consistently at one point or another. I took pride in being what I would consider a relatively well-rounded player.”
Leonard does have a word he likes to use to describe his playing style. “I think if I had to describe myself as a player in a word I would say I was brave. I loved to throw myself into a tackle, I would never shy away from a challenge. I loved played in a big game or a game that meant something. Again, I may not be the best player on the field, but you knew I was going to protect those players and throw myself into some challenges along the way. Not to downplay the other parts of my game, I could still hold my own in most games. I thought I was sharp in picking a pass or playing a ball.”
2024 Comes Calling
Patrick Leonard has been involved in Kitsap County soccer for more than 16 years. He’s seen so much as a player and done so much as a head coach. There’s much more to come for the natural-born teacher and leader. He’s got the 2024 CKHS men’s soccer season straight ahead. Meanwhile he will also be preparing Port Orchard Football Club for their second season. POFC earned promotion and won the Cascadia Premier League Second Division in 2023. Now Kitsap will jump over the pond to take on the big boys in CPL1.
It’s going to be exciting. Pat’s got our backs.
One thought on “POFC Gaffer Pat Leonard Shares His All-Kitsap Teammate Eleven”