PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club Head Coach Patrick Leonard has been keeping tabs on the career of goalkeeper Jordan Hadden. There will now be overlap in their soccer pursuits near the beginning and going forward. The talented shot stopper is back home and will play with POFC in 2024.
“Jordan is a fantastic keeper,” Leonard exclaims. “We go back to when we were playing together growing up. I’ve said this before but I’m so impressed by his drive to have the success he has had as a player. I think it’s only right he gets the chance to play at home later on in his career.”
Turns out Jordan has been following along as well. “I have been keeping tabs on POFC from the beginning,” he says, “ever since I saw Patrick Leonard became the head coach. Pat and I go way back to NK Explosion 93’ times, where we shared the pitch together. I reached out to him to congratulate him on the management position and we chatted about the possibility of playing for POFC in the future. Fast forward, two years later, I was at the Bremerton Sports Center playing indoor soccer and I met up with Pat to talk about the new season. That’s when we chatted about actually coming on board for real.”
A Dream Come True In Finland
Hadden is a professional, having gone overseas to compete. He ended up at Finnish side Sporting Kristina. “The 3rd division club needed an emergency goalkeeper because theirs had gotten hurt,” Jordan explains, “so they called the agency I was working with and after my season playing in Arizona I was told to fly and help the club out of relegation. We battled out of relegation and that’s when I was asked to come back for a second season.”
The team-player match was a success. “Our second season we were 2 points away from promotion and I had started all but 3 matches and again was asked to come back for another season.”
Eventually changes beyond Hadden’s control signaled an end. “The third season was a bit difficult due to the fact that there were a lot of changes happening in the club (new upcoming president, changing coaches). We finished third in the division and that was when I decided to pursue other avenues of professional soccer.”
The years in Finland are something Hadden will always cherish. “For me, playing overseas was a dream come true. Not only did I enjoy the soccer but the culture and the community surrounding the club was something I’ll never forget.”
Kitsap Kid
You never kow where soccer might take you, but you always start at home. Hadden is a Kitsap kid. “I started off playing soccer when I was 5 years old for the North Kitsap Soccer Club in their recreation level. I then joined NK Explosion 93’ in the select level of NKSC. I went to North Kitsap High School where I started as a sophomore and had 3 very successful seasons and in my senior season I was named the Olympic League MVP. I decided to join Olympic College where I started 1.5 seasons and was named team captain my second season.”
Jordan also featured on the early efforts in the elite adult Evergreen Premier League by Westsound FC Men. He played D1 college ball in goal for Seattle University.
A Physical and Mental Athlete Platform
Returning home also means focusing on a new business. Jordan does private goalkeeper training, but is planning to enlarge his scope. “I am trying to build a platform for young athletes to develop strength, endurance, speed and agility while also understanding how the mind and body are connected. This platform is for athletes who are just starting out in their sports, those who are playing at developmental stages of their game and those who are at the elite club, college and pro level. My dream is to create a way for athletes to understand all levels of competitive sports as well as understand how they are able to connect their mind to their body and strengthen the understanding of what that means.”
Jordan Joins Port Orchard FC
Eventually Jordan and Patrick made his signing with POFC official. Hadden is already in training and mixing it up with his new mates. He’s impressed with the depth. “It’s great to see so many players who are dedicated at training every session,” Jordan observes. “There is lots of young talent in every position which will be massive for the season. There are also some veteran players in the squad to help lead the younger players on the pitch as well.”
Hadden has made numerous dazzling saves in training, showing his new club that he’s ready for a new era in his career. He’s communicating with his back line, adding his experience, doing what Coach Leonard knows he can do.
“I think for the team, I believe we are here to challenge the premier division of the CPL,” Jordan says, “and show everyone that we belong here. I just want to help the club in anyway I can. I believe POFC will play a huge role in the development of soccer in Kitsap County, and I’m excited to see where it leads!”
His old teammate and new coach is totally on board. “Jordan is a great role model for young local players with aspirations,” says Leonard. “Not only is he a great player, but he’s a great leader and community member as well. I’m thrilled to work with Jordan again!”
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